Depression in India

Abstract

Summary Rate of occurrence of depression and its symptomatology in Indian culture have been investigated. Depression was found to be four times greater in the urban areas as compared to the rural (6.1 and 1.5 per 1000, respectively). Modern civilization, technological complexity and rapidly changing social values seem to be some of the factors contributing to the depressive psycho-pathology. On the other hand, simplicity, intimate social contacts and small community size are probable deterrents for depression, for the rural people. Somatic and psychological manifestations were frequently observed in these patients, whereas guilt feelings were rather infrequent.