Gender similarities and differences in the course of depression.
This article provides a gender-based overview of the current literature on depression. Characteristics common to both genders include depressive recurrence, chronic depression associated with an increased risk for suicide, and comorbid disorder complications; differences include substance abuse or dependence, completed suicides, rapid cycling, and seasonality. There are several inconsistencies regarding gender differences in the course of major depression--the time to recovery from episodes, the time to recurrence, the likelihood of becoming chronically depressed, and the severity of episodes.
Endicott
J
J
Department of Research Assessment and Training, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10032, USA.
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology