Depression in Turkey in the 1980s: epidemiological and clinical approaches

A review is presented of knowledge about the following issues in Turkey: prevalence of depression, suicidal attempts and suicide, clinical picture of depression, and etiological factors responsible for causing depression. Epidemiological studies of depression are reviewed and their results are discussed in detail, with special emphasis on conclusions with valid generalizations. As in almost all countries, depression, though exhibiting some differences clinically, is a major public health problem in Turkey. The point prevalence rate for depressive symptoms is nearly 20% and clinical depression has a rate of approximately 10%. Besides, about one-third of depressive patients are chronically ill. Specific risk groups for depression by various sociodemographic characteristics include women, widowed persons aged 40 years and over, close relatives of depressive persons, and members of lower socio-economic classes. An increase in the prevalence rates of depression in Turkey is expected due to changes in public attitudes, which do not consider depression a medical disorder at present; increase in life expectancy; rapid changes in socio-economic, cultural environments; and in family structures and lifestyles.