DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2023.v11i02.032

Pages: 471-476

Introduction: Major Depressive Disorder is a serious psychiatric and debilitating illness. It is an important issue of public health because of its pervasive effect on the condition of a life. In Bangladesh, depression is a common illness which is associated with social avoidance. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to detect whether there is any relationship between Social Avoidance and Depression as well as to search for the level of social avoidance among patients with Major Depressive Disorder according to their severity. Methods: This Quantitative study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from May, 2021- May, 2022. This is a Cross-sectional Descriptive study. The samples were taken from 100 MDD diagnosed patients from the psychiatric department of one hospital and three different clinics. The measures which were used are Demographic questionnaire, Depression Scale and Translated version of Social Avoidance and Distress Scale. Result: For this study total 100 participants were taken who were diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder. The range of their age was from 18 to 60 years. The highest value for the moderate level is below the cutoff point of 8, while the highest value for the severe level is at the minimal depression level of 5. For mild depression, the highest value is at the moderate level, which is 15. On the other hand, for moderate depression, the highest value is at the severe level, which is also 8. Finally, the highest value for severe depression is 31. Conclusion: The researchers found that there is an association between Social Avoidance and Major Depressive Disorder and the level of Social Avoidance is also linked to Major Depressive Disorder. So, the knowledge of the current study is expected to be helpful for the mental health professional as well as the people who are at risk, that they would take time appropriate decision ...