title: Sex differences in the disability associated with mental disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is well established that women have a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders, but sex differences in the disability associated with depression and anxiety disorders have been less well researched. Earlier studies suggested that women were more disabled by their depression than were men. Studies of schizophrenia, in contrast, have always found that men were more disabled. Recent studies cast new light on this topic and suggest that sex differences in the disability associated with mental disorders may be more consistent than previously thought.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two general population studies found that men (and boys) with depression or anxiety disorders (or symptoms) reported greater impairment in everyday functioning and social relationships than women with depression and anxiety. These findings are consistent with the research on psychotic disorders and with much of the research on sex differences in long-term sickness absence due to psychiatric disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men experience more functional and social impairment in association with episodes of depression, anxiety, and psychosis than their female counterparts. The greater social isolation among men with mental disorders may be attributable to male reticence about disclosing emotional distress, limiting their access to support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand. Kate.scott@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Kate M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics