Ethnic differences in depression and its response to treatment.

There are many cultural variations in the presentation of depression and language problems in describing and interpreting symptoms. The somatization of mental disease varies in different ethnic groups, as does the social significance of disease. These are all important factors in treating immigrant patients and present special difficulties in measurement. Cultural differences are very important in the multi-cultural society which exists today in Britain. Doctors have an obligation to understand these in order to provide the right treatment for patients.