Studies & publications Mental Health

Misconceptions, taboos, stigmatisation: the French perception of depressive disorders and impacts on their care

An exclusive study conducted by OpinionWay for Inicea reveals that depressive disorders are still stigmatised, downplayed and seen as taboo – due in particular to a lack of knowledge and information. This reality hinders diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.

Ignorance and lack of information

One in four French people think that “willpower” is all it takes to escape a depression, while one in five believe that depression is just a form of sadness or that consulting a psychologist means someone is unable to manage their own problems. The misconceptions reveal a certain lack of knowledge, and as a consequence, they reinforce stereotypes and taboos around the care given to those affected.

71%

of French people say that depressive disorders are considered taboo by those close to them (friends, family, etc.).

3 out of 5

More than 3 out of 5 French people say they personally have suffered or currently suffer from depression or know someone close to them who currently suffers or has suffered from depression.

44%

of people affected by depressive disorders felt judged by their family, 37% by their colleagues and 37% by their friends.

34%

Of those affected by a depressive disorder, just 34% saw a general practitioner, 32% saw a psychologist, and 32% saw a psychiatrist.

22%

Of those affected by a depressive disorder, 22% stopped working (resigning or taking sick leave) or stopped their studies.

11%

Of those affected by a depressive disorder, 11% started drinking or increased their alcohol consumption.

This study reveals several major lessons

1. Depression remains a largely taboo and downplayed topic in our society

  • 71% of French people say that depressive disorders are considered taboo by those close to them (friends, family, etc.).
  • Barely a quarter of French people know the rate of depressive disorders in France. There is a tendency to underestimate the number of French people suffering from depressive disorders during their lifetime: 44% say depression affects 1 in 10 people, 23% 1 in 100 people, and 7% 1 in 1,000 people.

2. French people underestimate the biological causes of the disease

French people believe that a traumatic event (such as an accident or bereavement), social isolation and stress are the three most common causes of depressive disorders.

3. A significant proportion of French people do not obtain a diagnosis

  • More than three in five French people say they personally have suffered or currently suffer from depression or know someone close to them who suffers or has suffered from depression.
  • 13% of respondents report having a depressive disorder at the time of the study, while 28% have suffered from depressive disorders in the past.
  • 18% of people reporting having suffered or suffering from depressive disorders have not been diagnosed, with the figure rising to 28% among those under 35.

4. Stereotypes around depressive disorders lead to judgement or even rejection by loved ones, which can delay contact with health professionals

  • In nearly four in 10 cases, respondents affected by depressive disorders reported feeling they were being judged by family, friends or colleagues: 44% felt judged by their family, 37% by their colleagues and 37% by their friends.
  • 30% even felt rejected by their family and 24% by their friends.

5. The consequences of patient depression are a major public health and societal issue. Of those affected by depressive disorders

  • 50% took antidepressants, while 13% used other medications. This represents a significant proportion of affected patients who do not have or did not have access to appropriate treatment.
  • Only 34% saw a general practitioner, 32% saw a psychologist, and 32% saw a psychiatrist.
  • 22% stopped working (resigning or taking sick leave) or stopped their studies.
  • 11% started drinking or increased their alcohol consumption.

Methodology

This study was conducted with a sample of 1,010 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over. The sample was selected using the quota method with regard to sex, age, socio-professional category and region of residence. Respondents in the sample were interviewed using a self-administered online questionnaire via a CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) system between 20 and 28 August 2024.

OpinionWay conducted this survey in accordance with the procedures and rules of the ISO 20252 standard.