IntroductionDepression as a disorder, with all its intensities and clinical forms, requires to be projected on the backdrop of human suffering. In evaluating a depressive episode of a somatically ill person, it is important to assess personality and social context as a whole.ObjectivesTo establish the degree of somatic comorbidity/somatization in depressive patients and the correlation with their social support network.AimsTo recommend cost-effective psycho-social interventions to offer relief and support.MethodWe evaluated 60 patients with depression of various etiologies (Recurrent depressive disorder, Paranoid-depressive disorder, Anxious-depressive disorder). Self-report and observer rating scales were used (SCL-90, Beck, Hamilton) along with a suplimentary consult (where required) by different specialists. Direct observations were made regarding the social support network, in terms of evaluating their scale and efficiency.ResultsThe majority of patients included showed an obvious inconsistency in terms of objective and subjective symptoms, correlated with the lack of an adequate social support network. This resulted in more medical help-seeking, a polymorphic array of somatic symptoms, oscillations of somatic complaints, some showing lack of adherence and only mild improvement with psychotropic therapy. Most of the somatized complaints were gastro-intestinal, respiratory, pain-related and pseudo-neurological, with an increased overall evidence-based cardio-vascular comorbidity.ConclusionsWe suggest that in order to help support patients and ensure fluidization of medical services, mental health care could also be delivered effectively in primary care settings, through community-based programmes and task shifting approaches that engage and support skilled non-specialist health professionals, lay workers, affected individuals, and caregivers (Kakuma, 2011).Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
A Study on the Relationships between Professional Help-seeking Behavior and Social Support Network among Adolescents