Facebook Pixel

10 Ways Depression Is Different in Women than it is in Men

By HERWriter
 
Rate This
depression Via Pexels

For a long time, the general consensus has been that depression is largely a female thing. Depression can hit men too, though it can manifest differently in men than in women. A depressed man might seem angry, for instance, rather than sunk in a chair crying, or pouring woes out to a friend as the female stereotype dictates.

Here are some ways in which men and women differ in their experience of depression:

1) Biology makes a difference.

Biological differences between men and women leave women more susceptible to depression and other mood disorders. Women are almost twice as prone to depression as men are according to Jill Goldstein, director of research at the Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Conversely, men are over three times more likely to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder than women, according to WHO.

2) In general, women are more in touch with their feelings.

Women are more in tune with their emotions, and tend to be more articulate about them. Women are more likely to talk with their friends and show their vulnerability than men. Women are also quicker to go to their primary health care physician, whereas men are more likely to see a specialist.

3) Women are more likely to brood.

Women spend more time replaying their negative thoughts and emotions. Men are more likely to hide their feelings, from themselves and others. Depression can deepen without help from others, so a man's depression when undiagnosed, can become harder to manage.

4) Men and women use — or abuse — drugs and alcohol differently.

Men may drink too much or self-medicate with illegal drugs, before depression sets in. Women are more likely to self-medicate after depression emerges. Men are more forthcoming with their health care provider about their alcohol consumption than women are, according to WHO.

5) Men are more likely to try to distract themselves from the pain of depression.

Men have more of a tendency to throw themselves into work or sports, or watching more TV. They are more inclined to be reckless by driving too fast, gambling, smoking or taking chances sexually.

6) Men who are depressed are more likely to seem mad than sad.

Men may seem angry or irritable when depressed, rather than sorrowful or anxious, which is seen more in women. This is one factor that makes a depression diagnosis for a man harder to arrive at.

7) Stressful life experiences trigger more depression in women than in men.

Women are more likely to experience depression because of stressors like bad relationships or job problems, or family death or illness. They will dwell in their stressful feelings longer than men do. Goldstein speculates that this may have to do with women's reproductive hormones, neurotransmitters that regulate mood, and stress hormones.

8) Men are more likely to commit suicide.

This may be partly because a man's depression can go undiagnosed for longer, and may be related to the fact that a man's depression is more likely to involve anger. Also a man who tries to kill himself is more likely to succeed than a woman might be.

9) Antidepressants are metabolized differently by men and women.

Men and women may metabolize and process antidepressants differently. Most of the research on this has been done on men, far less has been done on women according to Goldstein.

10) Women's depression may be accompanied by another disorder as well.

are more likely to suffer from a combination of depression and a second disorder like anorexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder or panic disorder.

Sources:

7 Ways Depression Differs in Men and Women. Livescience.com. Retrieved Oct. 28, 2015.
http://www.livescience.com/45061-depression-differs-men-women-symptoms.html

Gender disparities and mental health: The Facts. Who.int. Retrieved Oct. 28, 2015.
http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/genderwomen/en

Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap. Mayoclinc.com. Retrieved Oct. 28, 2015.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depres...

Visit Jody's website at http://www.ncubator.ca

Reviewed October 29, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN

Read more in Gender Differences in Health

Gender Differences in Health

Alzheimer’s Disease: Women Decline Faster Than Men, Studies Find

Alzheimer’s Disease: Women Decline Faster Than Men, Studies Find

6 Ways STDs Affect Women and Men Differently

6 Ways STDs Affect Women and Men Differently

Women Versus Men: Why Do They Deal With Stress Differently?

Women Versus Men: Why Do They Deal With Stress Differently?

How Does Thyroid Health Differ Between Men and Women?

How Does Thyroid Health Differ Between Men and Women?

All in Gender Differences in Health

Add a Comment3 Comments

Very interesting article and quite illuminating personally. As a transgender woman, I experience depression and all of the other emotional realms which natal women face collectively, in the same ways. It would be more than enlightening to understand what changes occur as a result of hormonal replacement in general as I have noted quite the alignment with the natal female realm. Interestingly, a lot of what I felt even before hormone replacement and how I related to the world emotionally was always as female although i did play an acting role in the male world.

I'm also willing to share my perspectives with others who may be curious on the biological / hormonal connections from a relatively unique vantage point.

November 3, 2015 - 1:25pm

There is nothing worse, then going through hell of depression. You wake up each day, not knowing if you will make it
'till night, or you will simply give in, and end it all yourself. The drugs sometimes help, and sometimes make it worse.
Felt like I had no control whatsoever over my own life. It took me a while, but I managed to teach myself how to push trough the day, and keep on fighting.
In the end, it all comes down to helping yourself get up and fight. For anyone suffering from depression,
I recommend something that has helped me a lot. It is James Gordon’s system at http://lookingupstuff.com/mentalhealth/2015/02/06/how-to-destroy-depression/
He is a former depression sufferer, and teaches a totally natural 7 step process which relieves depression from your life.

October 30, 2015 - 3:04am
HERWriter (reply to MikeDenison84)

Hi Mike,

I hope what you've said here will make a difference for someone going through a hard time. Thanks for sharing your experience with our readers.

Jody

October 30, 2015 - 6:54am
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.