African American's and mental health care?

Question

Do you think African Americans tend to have an aversion to mental healthcare? Why or why not?

I recently was diagnosed with severe depression and adult ADD. Medication has changed my life. I do not get a good response from my family or my close friends who I decide to confide with regarding my diagnosis.

I remember having problems in school, and fighting and argueing with my parents, who "diagnosed" me themselves, and did not take me to the doctor to confirm their "diagnosis" (they watched one 20/20 episode on ADD and decide from that day on I had it and that they could punish or beat it out of me.) I remember asking them to take me, begging even, because I knew something was wrong, and i wanted to change, but didn't know how. They refused. I believe my life would have been much different today had I received actual proffessional help much earlier.

Is that a common attitude towards mental health care amongst African Americans, do you think? Why or why not?

(Bigotry will be reported.)

Answer 1

I am sorry to hear of the way you were treated growing up and am very glad that you have gotten yourself help that is working for you. I wish you a new healthy and happy life.

I think it is a very common but old fashioned attitude along the lines of not airing your dirty laundry. I may get bashed on the board for this but I also think is is the hangover of slave mentality. In that I mean - don't give the "white man" any ammunition we have it hard enough so you better straighten up and act right or stay out of the way.


Sadly I have heard too many stories of "beating it out of them". Mental illness is very real and often times requires treatment, be it therapy, medication or both. Try telling one of your black friends you are in therapy and they will look at you like you like WHAT! You are no crazier than I am I'm not in therapy even though you know they would benefit from it.

Answer 2

It,s funny I was thinking about that today I was thinking how many black people go through life and never know that they have a mental problem that can be corrected with medication I am from the hood and I know there were a lot of people there that had some serious problems back then we just said their crazy and try ed to stay away from them and yes we have a aversion to mental health care because that would be admitting that something is wrong with us or a loved one I am glad to hear that you got help and your doing fine keep taking your Medication

Answer 3

Actually I would say yes, particularly devoutly religious, because a lot of times mental illnesses like depression or ADD or something else that is not obvious to the naked eye is seen like it's not a real illness or something, and that you can pray it away or something. Now God willing, it could be cured, but since He also provided people with the knowledge of medicine, there is no reason why we shouldn't seek medical treatment for even the non-visible ailments. It's just one of those things where people think, oh it's just you or something, I can't really explain it. But generally people have the wrong idea about depression, like it means your sobbing in a corner somewhere all the time, and it is not like that - it's your whole thought process that is screwed up and messes with your emotions, it's a lot bigger than people presume it to be. It's a lot bigger than I presumed it to be. Personally I have been getting treatment for depression, and according to the doc, I only have a 10% chance of living depression free off meds! Regardless of whether or not that is true, I still keep hope alive that one day God may find favor in me and cure me, but even if he doesn't, he blessed me with doctors and the few chosen family members and friends I choose to share it with.

Answer 4

Definitely not. I have actually talked to more whites that are bias and ignorant to the realness of mental illness. Mostly it is the up tight religions fundies that feel that way about mental illness. Scientology is a cult that is against psychiatry and medication which is mostly composed of whites. So it was just your family that felt that way. I suffer from ADD, OCD, and Bipolar Disorder and the people I've meant in my lifetime and talked to that were were non-believers in mental illness were mostly whites.

Answer 5

My eldest son suffered this way. We took him to a doctor when he was about 10. The results were dramatic. I do not think it is a particularly black problem, just misdiagnosed, and often. Many white people suffer this. I believe it is 99% diet and lifestyle.

Answer 6

I can't say for sure. I know from working in the behavioral health field that all of my clients wish they didn't have the stigma of mental illness attached to them. No one blames people for having diabetes but they seem to sort of blame someone if they are bipolar.

Answer 7

Hello, Marcel's wifeee... I can help you with the Spanish, if you do not mind... Try to contact me. My native language is Spanish. Good look,,, (I am sorry , but I could not answer your spanish question twice... Oops..) Have a great nigth!!

Answer 8

To start with there is no such thing as depression what u really have is the devil trying to ruin your life.