Advances in Medical Education and Practice (Apr 2021)
Depression and Anxiety Among Medical Students: A Brief Overview
Abstract
Ahmad A Mirza,1 Mukhtiar Baig,2 Ghada M Beyari,3 Mohammed Aiman Halawani,3 Abdulrahim A Mirza4 1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Clinical Biochemistry/Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Surgery – Division of Urology, Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ahmad A MirzaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80205, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi ArabiaEmail [email protected]: Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent conditions worldwide. This article reviews the extent of depression and anxiety among medical students and elucidates associated potential risk factors. In comparison to other countries, students from Middle East countries have a higher prevalence of depression. Females suffer from these conditions more commonly than males. Factors associated with these morbidities can be divided into academic and non-academic factors. There is an inconclusiveness of whether medical students experience these symptoms more commonly than their counterparts. The present review provided a cross-sectional picture of the students’ psychological well-being, which is crucial to formulate a health policy for preventive and therapeutic purposes.Keywords: anxiety, depression, mental health, students
