Table 2 Responses of items of depression literacy questionnaire (N = 517)

F1: Knowledge of the psychological symptoms

People with depression may feel guilty when they are not at fault.

253

48.9

53

10.3

211

40.8

Loss of confidence and poor self-esteem may be a symptom of depression.

390

75.4

41

7.9

86

16.6

Sleeping too much or too little may be a sign of depression.

451

87.2

19

3.7

47

9.1

Eating too much or losing interest in food may be a sign of depression.

456

88.2

18

3.5

43

8.3

People may move more slowly or become agitated as a result of their depression.

357

69.1

18

3.5

142

27.5

F2: Knowledge about the effectiveness of available treatment methods

Clinical psychologists can prescribe antidepressants.

166

32.1

116

22.4

235

45.5

Many treatments for depression are more effective than antidepressants.

225

43.5

45

8.7

247

47.8

Counseling is as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.

311

60.2

53

10.3

153

29.6

Cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression.

352

68.1

13

2.5

152

29.4

Moderate depression disrupts a person’s life as much as multiple sclerosis or deafness.

111

21.5

125

24.2

281

54.4

F3: Knowledge about cognitive behavioral symptoms

People with depression often speak in a rambling and disjointed way.

157

30.4

171

33.1

189

36.6

Reckless and foolhardy behavior is a common sign of depression.

127

24.6

178

34.4

212

41.0

Not stepping on cracks in the footpath may be a sign of depression.

33

6.4

209

40.4

275

53.2

People with depression often hear voices that are not there.

76

14.7

197

38.1

244

47.2

Depression does not affect your memory and concentration.

31

6.0

408

78.9

78

15.1

Having several distinct personalities may be a sign of depression.

124

24.0

207

40.0

186

36.0

F4: Knowledge about taking medications and their side effects

Of all the alternative and lifestyle treatments for depression, vitamins are likely to be the most helpful.

117

22.6

146

28.2

254

49.1

People with depression should stop taking antidepressants as soon as they feel better.

32

6.2

303

58.6

182

35.2

Antidepressants are addictive.

108

20.9

165

31.9

244

47.2

Antidepressant medications usually work straight away.

49

9.5

181

35.0

287

55.5

F5: Knowledge of the severity of the disease

Most people with depression need to be hospitalized.

11

2.1

391

75.6

115

22.2

Many famous people have suffered from depression.

366

70.8

9

1.7

142

27.5