Pharmacotherapy for African Americans

however, the diagnosis of major depression is not made. Several large studies have shown that African Americans with major depression receive a diagnosis only 50% of the time (Brown et al. 1995 Sussman et al. 1987). Probably a much smaller percentage are adequately treated. 

Unwillingness to seek treatment in the mental health system is another reason African Americans receive suboptimal therapy. African Americans who are in distress or depressed often do not seek professional help (Brown et al. 1995 Neighbors 1984 Suss- 

Fear of hospitalization and involuntary commitment is often the reason given for avoiding treatment (Sussman et al. 1987). Unfortunately, there is some truth in that belief. African Americans are more likely to be hospitalized or involuntarily committed (Flaherty and Meagher 1980 Lawson et al. 1994 Lindsey et al. 1989 Paul and Menditto 1992 Strakowski et al. 1995). Consequently, African Americans have a different perception of the mental health system, often not seeing it as a resource for consensual treatment. 

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Psychopharmacotherapy in the Context of Culture and Ethnicity Issues in Pharmacotherapy for African Americans The Hispanic Response to Psychotropic Medications Ethnopsychopharmacology for Asians Ethnopsychopharmacology in the Public Sector Index... 

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