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标题：6 Ways Depression Differs Between Men and Women
source：psychcentral丨byJerry Nelson
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There are many physical and emotional differences between men and women. When it comes to depression, those differences are extremely important. Understanding the gender differences with the disorder could be the key to finding the most effective treatment. Here are a few of the most common differences in depression for both men and women.
Depression Is More Prevalent in Women
＂From early adolescence through adulthood, women are twice as likely as men to experience depression,＂ according to a study by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema of the University of Michigan’s Psychology Department. Of all the women in the world, 21.3 percent have a lifetime prevalence for major depressive disorder (MDD), while only 12.7 percent of men will have that problem.
There’s currently no hard scientific evidence on why women struggle more with depression than men, however, it can be concluded that depression depends heavily on genetics, chemical makeup social status, relationships, and harsh life events.
Women Are More Likely to Turn Inward
When women cope with depression, they tend to turn inward, reflecting on their feelings. They become more tuned into their emotions, thinking about their negative feelings and behaviors over and over again, engaging in negative self-talk, crying for no reason, and blaming themselves often. This type of coping often results in a deeper descent in the feelings of MDD, making the symptoms worse.
Men Are More Likely to Act Out with Substance Abuse
Men are more likely to cope with their addictions by acting out. This might include abusing alcohol or other substances in an attempt to self medicate. With addiction, depression is often incited as a result of substance abuse addiction. According to Summit Malibu Treatment Center, depression is a very common symptom for those who abuse drugs and alcohol, and it’s important for those experiencing both addiction and depression to get specialized treatment for each separate issue.
Stressful Life Events Often Trigger Depression in Women
When women experience a very stressful life event, they often have a more difficult time dealing with it than men, throwing them into a depressive state. The death of a family member, a traumatic accident, losing a job, a difficult relationship, and other traumatic events can lead them to react negatively to the onslaught of emotions that come their way, which often results in developing MDD.
Men Are Often Better at Hiding the Symptoms
It’s generally easier to spot the signs and symptoms of depression in women than men. For that reason, women are more often diagnosed than men, lending itself to the higher statistic. The major difference is that men tend to be quieter about their emotions, making it easy to miss the signs, while women tend to vocalize their feelings and are more proactive in seeking treatment.
Men and Women Respond Differently to Treatments
New drugs are being developed all the time to help both men and women cope with depression. SSRI antidepressants are new antidepressant drugs on the market such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. According to one study published on NCBI, ＂A total of 15 randomized, placebo-controlled trials that included 323 depressed patients were examined for sex differences in antidepressant treatment response. Women had a significantly greater response than men to SSRI antidepressants.＂
Besides the fact that women tend to respond to these newer medications better than men, women tend to be more likely to seek treatment through both medication and therapy while men are more likely to deny the existence of a problem and avoid treatment.
The discussion of gender differences in treating depression is extremely important in understanding how to diagnose and treat depression in both men and women. With the right treatment, depression can be managed and those diagnosed can avoid the worst of the negative repercussions of the disease.