Abstract
Depression is conceptualised differently across cultural groups and contexts. How people understand depression influences the treatment sought and the response to it. This study explored the understandings and perceptions of black South African youth who experience depression. Eight participants were interviewed; some were diagnosed by a psychologist with depression while others were not officially diagnosed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in an environment conducive and convenient for participants; therefore the interviews took place in different places. The findings of the study showed that some black South African youth conceptualised depression differently. Firstly, through received discourses from their social background; they saw depression as a stigmatised experience described as witchcraft, alcoholism and madness. Secondly, in response to the stigmatisation, they also developed their own discourses; they described depression as a weight, a case of sadness, and the brain taking over...
M.A. (Sociology)