-- Nikki Giovanni, "Introspection" ...Because she didn't know any better she stayed alive among the tired and lonely not waiting always wanting needing a good night's rest...
Examining Depression Among African-American Women From a Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Perspective
Clinical depression is often a vague disorder for African- American women. It may produce an abundance of "depressions" in the lives of the women who experience its ongoing, relentless symptoms.
The old adage of "being sick and tired of being sick and tired" is quite relevant for these women, since they often suffer from persistent, untreated physical and emotional symptoms.
If these women consult health professionals, they are frequently told that they are hypertensive, run down, or tense and nervous. They may be prescribed antihypertensives, vitamins, or mood elevating pills; or they may be informed to lose weight, learn to relax, get a change of scenery, or get more exercise.
The root of their symptoms frequently is not explored; and these women continue to complain of being tired, weary, empty, lonely, sad. Other women friends and family members may say, "We all feel this way sometimes, it's just the way it is for us Black women." ...
Read More from Barbara Jones Warren>>>
http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/min...
The old adage of "being sick and tired of being sick and tired" is quite relevant for these women, since they often suffer from persistent, untreated physical and emotional symptoms.
If these women consult health professionals, they are frequently told that they are hypertensive, run down, or tense and nervous. They may be prescribed antihypertensives, vitamins, or mood elevating pills; or they may be informed to lose weight, learn to relax, get a change of scenery, or get more exercise.
The root of their symptoms frequently is not explored; and these women continue to complain of being tired, weary, empty, lonely, sad. Other women friends and family members may say, "We all feel this way sometimes, it's just the way it is for us Black women." ...
Read More from Barbara Jones Warren>>>
http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/min...
So true Saint. Also we ( Black women) need to educate ourselves on the signs and symptoms of depressions because many of us don't even realize that we are depressed. In this way, we can be more proactive in our own healthcare. As you probably know Saint, mental health isn't something we talk opening about in the Black community due to the stigmas associated with it. Hopefully we can mobilize our community with education and awareness of clinical depression that requires more treatment such as medications and counseling rather than using religion as a means to an end.