How does depression affect males and females differently?
And, depressive symptoms can look very different in men versus women. If men with depression do struggle to express their emotions in general, they may come across (or actually be) more angry, irritable, or aggressive. Studies show that, in contrast, women are more likely to appear sad or express sadness.
Is depression equally common in men and women?
Depression is more than twice as prevalent in young women than men (ages 14–25 yr), but this ratio decreases with age. Indeed, starting at puberty, young women are at the greatest risk for major depression and mental disorders globally.
Do males and females respond in similar ways to depression?
It’s long been thought that men and women experience and express depression in different ways, but that doesn’t mean the condition could be divided into two distinct forms. It’s more akin to the way mental illness can manifest differently in children and teens than it does in adults.
Who does depression mostly affect?
Major depression is most likely to affect people between the ages of 45 and 65. “People in middle age are at the top of the bell curve for depression, but the people at each end of the curve, the very young and very old, may be at higher risk for severe depression,” says Walch.
Are gender differences in depression universal?
In the vast majority of epidemiological reports on adults, women have higher rates of major depression compared to men; on average, the ratio is 2:1 (Andrade et al., 2003; Bromet et al., 2011). However, findings also suggest that the 2:1 ratio is not universal and may vary substantially across nations.
How do males and females respond to stress?
According to some psychologists, there is basic difference in the way men and women respond to social stress: for men, it’s either “fight or flight” while for women it’s “tend and befriend.” Physiologist Walter Cannon – a pioneer of research on stress – argued in the 1930s that “fight-or-flight” is a universal …
Why do more women have depression than men?
Women also are more likely to have hypothyroidism , which can be associated with depression. They also are more genetically predisposed to depression and stress than men according to studies on fraternal twin studies. Women suffer more from depression and stress because they reportedly “suffer more” when their personal relationships tank.
How does gender affect depression?
After puberty, depression rates are higher in females than in males. Because girls typically reach puberty before boys do, they’re more likely to develop depression at an earlier age than boys are. There is evidence to suggest that this depression gender gap may continue throughout the lifespan.
How prevalent is depression?
Major depression is recognized as the most prevalent type of mood disorder today. It is estimated that 17 percent of the U.S. population (between 5-12 percent of men and 10-20 percent of women) will suffer from a major depressive episode at least once in their lifetime.
What causes depression in men?
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of risk factors including: Genetic factors—men with a family history of depression may be more likely to develop it than those whose family members do not have the illness.