From diathesis to dimorphism: the biology of gender differences in depression.
Unipolar depression is more common in women than men. We pursue a unifying explanation for the sex difference in the incidence of depression that emerges at puberty and is unlikely to be fully explained as an artifact or as a result of socialization or contemporary sex roles. Because symptomatic anxiety disorders show a similar female preponderance in women, we consider the biology of anxiety disorders and their links to depression. Rather than viewing gender as directly determining differential unipolar depression rates, we hypothesize a primary postpubertal effect of gonadal hormones on limbic system hyperactivity, which predisposes women to potentially higher rates of certain anxiety and depressive disorders.
Parker
Gordon Barraclough
GB
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Australia.
Brotchie
Heather Lorraine
HL
D001007:Anxiety / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D013694:Temperament
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone