[Depression--gender differences]

Abstract

Unipolar depression is twice as frequent among women in fertile years compared to men. Current biological theories are that stages of life with declining levels of oestrogen could be a trigger of depression. Psychological theories are low self-esteem, sensitivity to lack of social support, comorbidity with anxiety, aggression turned inwards in women, outwards in men, whose comorbidity is alcohol abuse. Social theories are the preponderance of women in poverty and economic dependence. Symptoms and outcome are equal for men and women. Suicide is a greater risk for men, and increases with age; suicide attempts are a greater risk for women, and decline with age. During life span the rates of depression and anxiety and gender differences decline.