DO THIRD WORD COUNTRIES HAVE S.A. OR DEPRESSION ?

kevd · Newbie User Joined: May 27, 2006 Posts: 11

From what i can gather it seems depression and S.A. seem a lot worse in our western culture(speaking from uk).It does not seem as though it is a major problem in third world countries.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IS IT OUR LIFESTYLE /CULTURE?

Guest · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 4:38 am Post subject:

I think if your main concern is survival then looking for food/shelter/clothing will be your main priorities and you probably wouldn't think about other things.

lawyerguy · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 4:45 am Post subject:

oh I'm from a third world country but I live in the United states..I suppose people in third world countries have social phobia or any other mental illnesses that they have in the western developed world. Its just in third world countries very few people are often aware of it. Mental conditions of any sort are rarely seen in developing countries as "real illnesses".

sad_kat · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 6:54 am Post subject:

Septor · Elite User Joined: Dec 15, 2005 Posts: 1033

Yea it's just as much of a problem in third world countries as it is in western countries but they don't have the resources that we have in western world and they have a lot of other thing to worry about.

Beside I wonder how many people with depression in those countries make it.Where a lot of the time it's survival of the fittest. Sad

iamantisocial · Newbie User Joined: Jun 11, 2006 Posts: 72

Third world countries have more reason to be depressed. Lemme see... Brutal dictators... gangs running around the street... terrorists... corrupt policemen and government officials who will only listen to you if you know so and so or if you have money... extremely large income disparity between the rich and the poor... and what about the classic "die of hunger" in some places in africa. Sad

In the not so bad 3rd world countries... the culture sometimes looks at it as a TABOO to have any form of mental illness. So people just shut up and keep it to themselves and keep denying even if it is clear that they have it.

ck9486 · Newbie User Joined: Jun 27, 2006 Posts: 1

Depressed people in non-Western countries usually exhibit more of the physical symptoms (i.e. sleeplessness, fatigue) whereas Westerners experience more cognitive ones. Thought that was interesting when I came across it. I have no doubt that depression is also a prevalent problem outside the western world, though they may have differing definitions of what 'depression' exactly is.

joojo · Newbie User Joined: Oct 14, 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Ghana

I'm in ACCRA,GHANA(WESTAFRICA)

I've had SP since age 9(I'm now 26)

We have SP/SA all over the place.

Same symptoms we all know.

It is worse here.We have psychiatrist and psychologist just like you do in the West.

It looks like very little is known of SP in the rural 3rd World,but the situation is different in urban areas where people are more enlightened.

If we could gather proper data on SP in the 3rd world.The figure from the 3rd World would surpass that of the West.

Thanks

savage_beagle · Intermediate User Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 188

How ironic....i tell you why. All over the world we have people with mental illness . Depression and anxiety can't distinguish between rich or poor. True, in third world countries (and in wealthy countries with their own ghettos/welfare projects/skid rows) there is much to be anxious and sad about, such as true poverty, wars, high crime, drug addictions, abuse of political and police powers, corruption, diseases,lack of schooling. Then there are US, the people born into the better countries, where food and water are fairly clean and edible, food and shelter is attainable if you work for it, we have very good hospitals,schools,roads, stores....so much much more that i be here forever typing it to all of you. Yet, we are unhappy and dissatisfied. We live off a fast food diet, and spend our lives in a materialistic consumer driven society...spending more and more time with our cars, computers,music devices...always trying to make more money so that we can buy that next great thing that will make us happy.What is it then that would keep us happy? There are many people from 3rd world countries that went to america and europe, and after establishing themselves in society, they also become anxious and depressed in life (not all). We value money and materials more then anything else....and after we grow up bombarded by advertisements telling us that we will never be good enuff unless we buy their product, we believe in the bullshit as the truth. The person who doesnt chase money, but is content with having their basic needs met and who values love and companionship more then anything else, is the person who is happier. I'M DONE , PLACE YOUR NEGATIVE ARGUMENT DOWN BELOW. Very Happy

renegade · Advanced User Joined: Oct 26, 2005 Posts: 338