Gender differences in the presentation of depressed outpatients: a comparison of descriptive variables.
BACKGROUND
Gender differences in the clinical manifestation of depression and related variables were examined in 170 depressed outpatients.


METHODS
Age of onset of depression, chronicity, recurrence, subtype of depression, self-harm history and prior treatment history were assessed with structured clinical interviews. Depression symptom profile, family psychiatric history and social, occupational and interpersonal functioning were assessed with self-report and clinician ratings.


RESULTS
Overall, males and females were remarkably similar. Significant findings were that depressed females reported significantly more appetite increase, weight gain and carbohydrate craving, and in general, expressed their depression in a more emotional manner, than depressed males.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychosocial and biological explanations for these results are explored.


CONCLUSIONS
Descriptive study and multiple testing
Carter
J D
JD
Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, P.O. Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. janet.carter@chmeds.ac.nz
Joyce
P R
PR
Mulder
R T
RT
Luty
S E
SE
McKenzie
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002241:Carbohydrates; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain
D002241:Carbohydrates