Depression is a very common mental disorder around the world, but the way that depression is discussed may vary in different cultures. Experiences of depression are shaped by culture, as are decisions about treatment, doctor-patient interactions and so on (Kleinman, 2004). Therefore, some conditions of depression are universal and some are culturally distinct. Some factors that are protective in one culture may be risk factors in another. Considerable evidence has accumulated to show that culture and ethnic background are related to the outcomes of treating depression (Ryder et al., 2008). Additionally, the experience of Chinese depressed patients is more physical than psychological. For instance, many Chinese depressed patients report symptoms of pain, dizziness and fatigue rather than feeling sad, and the balance of biological and cultural factors may be associated with the onset of post-natal depression.
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