Background: Depressive disorder is globally estimated to be as many as one in five visits to primary health care. Approximately more than 50% of depressed women in primary care are not diagnosed. As a part of a major investigation into perceptions of women’s depression, this study explored how female patients and their relatives conceptualize patients’ conditions in three ethnic groups in Iran (Fars, Kurds and Turks).
Methods: Qualitative methods were used for data collection. Depressed women and their relatives were purposively selected from the public psychiatric clinics affiliated to university of medical sciences in the three study cities. Twenty five depressed women and 14 relatives were interviewed in three ethnic groups.
Results: One theme “illness meaning”, including three categories: perceived symptoms, label of the illness, and effects of the illness was found through the content analysis. The participants perceived symptoms of illness as somatic and psychological depending on the participant’s assumed reason for the onset of the illness. There were most similarities in term used for of the illness in the three ethnic groups. Most of the study participants described the illness in terms of nerve problems/illness, and depression “afsordehgi”. The most important effects that depressed women had experienced because of their illness were marital conflict or a guilt feeling originating from their inability to support family.
Conclusion: These findings suggest the need to recognize and choose appropriate diagnostic approach for depressed women in the context of Iran.