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Depression in Men Versus Women

Jillian Snell

NUAMES High School

English 1010: Introductory College Writing

Rebecca Miner

12/1/2022
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Depression In Men Versus Women

What does depression look like? People often respond to this question easily, stating that

depression is sadness, excessive crying and loss of interest and motivation. Well, what does

depression look like in men versus women? That’s a question that most people cannot answer

easily. Depression is the most common mental illness in the world, yet most are unaware of how

the illness can differ in men and women. It is important that society be more educated on the

topic of male depression versus female depression in efforts to help those who are suffering with

the illness. In this paper, we will discuss the gender differences in the causes of depression,

expression of symptoms, and seeking of treatment.

Gender Differences In Causes Of Depression

Depression is 1.5-3 times more common in women than it is in men. The factors that

cause depression can be very different among men and women. Women are at higher risk for

developing depression due to gender specific causes. In an article published for BrainsWay,

titled, “Depression in Men vs. Women” (March 2, 2022), author Gilad Daze stated that

fluctuating hormone levels, pregnancy, labor, menstruation, menopause, and birth control are the

most common gender specific causes of depression in women. Besides gender specific causes,

there are still several differences in the risk factors of depression between men and women. A

scholarly journal titled, “Socially structured depression in men and women” by Alfred Dean and

Walter Ensel provides a recent study which shows what factors are most common in causing

depression in men and women. The results of the study conclude that life events show equal

frequency in the lives for young male and females but females were significantly more impacted

by life events, which can lead to depression if those events were stressful or traumatic (ex. losing
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a loved one). On the flip side, results conclude that personal competence had a significant impact

on depression for males of all ages. The differences in causes for depression in men versus

women can also be socially structured, as suggested in the journal by Dean and Ensel. Women

strive more to fit into society’s unrealistic, toxic beauty standards. Doing so can be mentally

draining and can bring upon feelings of inferiority. Men can also feel the same feelings of

inferiority, however, it is usually caused by not having the same assets as others, like a sizable

house or luxury car.

Gender Differences In Expression Of Depressive Symptoms

Understanding the gender differences in expression of depressive symptoms is crucial to

identifying and treating depression for men and women. Recent studies show that there might be

more differences than there are similarities in how men deal with depression versus how women

deal with depression. First, let’s discuss how women express and deal with depression. Women

are more likely to ruminate on negative aspects of their life, which explains why women

experience seasonal and atypical depression (ex. increased eating/weight gain and sleeping) at

higher rates than men. Women also tend to feel more emotions of worthlessness, hopelessness,

and guilt when depressed, which is different from the emotions men tend to feel when depressed.

Women also tend to be more self critical than men, meaning that they are more likely to judge

themselves and tear themselves down because of things like facial appearance, weight, etc. Due

to this, women are more likely to develop eating disorders, which go hand in hand with

depression. Crying, loss of appetite, and multiple suicide attempts are also more common in

depressed women because of the depressive moods. Now that you’ve got a better idea of how
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women express and deal with depression, let’s compare that to how men express and deal with

depression. Men’s symptoms of depression can be harder to spot. In a scholarly journal published

in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry, titled “Differences in the Expression of Symptoms in Men

Versus Women with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” authors Cavanagh,

Anna BA; Wilson, Coralie J. PhD; Kavanagh, David J. PhD; Caputi, Peter PhD reports on a

study conducted to measure the differences between the behaviors of depressed men versus

depressed women. Results concluded that men reported drug and alcohol misuse, risk taking and

poor impulse control while women reported depressed mood, and disturbance to both appetite

and sleep. Men also tend to experience extreme anger and irritability when depressed, which can

manifest into controlling abusive behavior. Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, and

memory problems are also cognitive symptoms that men may encounter when dealing with

depression. Unlike women, men usually do not ruminate on negative feelings. In fact, it is more

common for men to downplay their symptoms of depression to avoid seeming weak. I’d like to

mention that depression doesn’t only affect the mind, but the whole body too. There are physical

symptoms of depression as well. For women, those symptoms include heartache and breast

tenderness, while men may experience chest tightness, low testosterone and heart palpitations.

Gender Differences In Seeking Help For Depression

Not only are there differences in the causes and symptoms of depression in men and

women, but there are also gender differences in how help is sought. The sad truth is that women

are more than twice as likely than men to seek help for depression. Women are more emotionally

attuned with themselves than men, so it is easier for them to recognize signs of depression and
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seek help. Since some men do not realize they are dealing with depression, they often do not

receive help. Recent studies show that even if men recognize that they are dealing with

depression, they are reluctant to get help. In an article published in Mayo Clinic, titled “Male

depression: Understanding the issues'” (May 21, 2019) Mayo Clinic staff states that men are

more resistant than women to ask for help because they are afraid that the stigma of depression

could damage their family, career, masculinity and more. Opening up about dealing with

depression may also be harder for men because of the emphasis on self-control in men’s lives. A

fact that is not known by many is although women attempt suicide more, men are more likely to

actually complete suicide. There are three main reasons for this. The first being lack of treatment.

The second being that men are twice more likely to own guns than women, and because men

tend to have impulsive behaviors when depressed, they are more likely to end their life quickly.

The third being the downplay of symptoms. Ignoring symptoms of depression only make them

worse, often driving people to suicide.

Conclusion

In this paper, we discussed the gender differences in the causes of depression, expression

of symptoms, and seeking of treatment in hopes to further educate you on the topic if you didn’t

already know much about depression in men versus women. With the rates of mental illness

increasing each year, it is extremely important to identify signs of depression in both men and

women. I wanted to add that even though I talked about men and women separately, both can

very much still experience the same signs and symptoms of depression. Depression is different

for everyone, and the signs and symptoms discussed in this paper are no way limited to one

gender. Be sure to talk to anyone showing general signs of depression, as it could save a life.
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References

Cavanagh, Anna BA; Wilson, Coralie J. PhD; Kavanagh, David J. PhD; Caputi, Peter PhD.
Differences in the Expression of Symptoms in Men Versus Women with Depression: A
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Harvard Review of Psychiatry: 1/2 2017 - Volume 25 -
Issue 1 - p 29-38 doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000128

https://journals.lww.com/hrpjournal/Abstract/2017/01000/Differences_in_the_Expression
_of_Symptoms_in_Men.4.aspx

Dean, A., & Ensel, W. M. (1983). Socially structured depression in men and women. Research in
Community & Mental Health, 3, 113–139.

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1984-20597-001

Daze, G. (2022, March 2). Depression in men vs women - who is more depressed? BrainsWay.

https://www.brainsway.com/knowledge-center/depression-in-men-vs-depression-in-wom

en/

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019, May 21). Behaviors in men that could be signs of depression. Mayo

Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/male-depression/art-

20046216
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