Explanatory Model Based on Perspectives of Patients with Depressive Disorder

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Introduction : Prevalence of depressive disorder in women is higher than in men. However, the suicide rate in men is higher than in women. Beliefs about the illness influence adherence to a treatment plan. Most knowledge on depressive disorder was derived from women and based on biological and psychological models. Only few studies explained depressive disorder in a women’s perspective. Studies on depressive disorder in male patients are scarce.
Objective: To form an explanatory model of men and women patients with depressive disorder.
Methods : A qualitative study was used. The participants included patients who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder for at least one year. A total of 42 participants including 21 men and 21 women were recruited from out-patient clinics at a psychiatric hospital and a university hospital in Khon Kaen province. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and were tape recorded. Data were analyzed using content analysis.
Results : Both men and women patients explained the illness model similarly, including symptoms of depressive disorder, symptoms management, understanding about the causes of illness, beliefs about treatments, and sex of therapist. However, details of stressors were different between men and women patients.
Conclusions : Most patients understand depressive disorder in terms of illness and not as a disease. They related the illness with stressors, which causes them to cease taking medication.
Effective psychoeducation programs are needed.