Depression among medical students

Abstract

Mental health disorders and mental health-related problems are an increasingly significant public health problem among the student population world-wide. Current data suggest that there is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical students, which retains in their later professional carrier. The aim of this study is to highlight the prevalence, predictive factors, consequences and treatment opportunities for medical students' depression, by reviewing previous papers. Most of the studies conclude that the prevalence of depression among medical students is higher than in the general population. The prevalence of depressive symptoms ranges from 10% to 60%. Depression of medical students is associated with poorer quality of life, impaired academic productivity and increased usage of benzodiazepines. Medical students are less likely to use the appropriate medical treatment than the general population despite the seemingly better access to care. Only 20-30% of the depressed students ask for help in the appropriate health services and the same percentage of them use adequate therapy. The high prevalence of psychological distress among medical students indicates the need for a different way of psychological and social support for improvements of mental health and quality of life in future physicians.