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Comparison of Treated and Untreated Major Depressive Disorder in a Nationwide Sample of Korean Adults

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Abstract

We examined factors associated with lifetime treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in a nationwide sample of Korean adults. Of the 6,510 subjects aged 18–64 years who participated in the Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area study, 362 (5.6%) with a lifetime diagnosis of MDD were analyzed. Diagnostic assessments were based on the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview administered by lay interviewers. Of the 362 respondents with a lifetime diagnosis of MDD, 117 (32.3%) had been treated for psychiatric problems. Treated individuals with MDD were more likely to have chronic episode(s), more symptoms of depression, insomnia, and suicidal ideation, and were less likely to have feelings of guilt. In addition, treated individuals were more likely to have comorbid anxiety disorders, especially obsessive–compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Treatment-seeking by individuals with MDD is affected by socio-cultural factors such as misconception and stigma of mental illness, as well as severity of depression and comorbid conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1 Pungnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, South Korea

    Subin Park & Jin Pyo Hong

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Maeng Je Cho & Bong-Jin Hahm

  3. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea

    Jae Nam Bae

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea

    Sung Man Chang

  5. Department of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Hong Jin Jeon

  6. Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea

    Jung-Woo Son

  7. Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, South Korea

    Shin Gyeom Kim

  8. Department of Psychiatry, Naju National Hospital, Naju, South Korea

    Ahn Bae

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  1. Subin Park
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  2. Maeng Je Cho
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  7. Jung-Woo Son
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  8. Shin Gyeom Kim
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Correspondence to Jin Pyo Hong.

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Park, S., Cho, M.J., Bae, J.N. et al. Comparison of Treated and Untreated Major Depressive Disorder in a Nationwide Sample of Korean Adults. Community Ment Health J 48, 363–371 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9434-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9434-5

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