Related Experiment Videos
Gender differences in the presentation of depressed outpatients: a comparison of descriptive variables
J D Carter1, P R Joyce, R T Mulder
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, P.O. Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. janet.carter@chmeds.ac.nz
Background:
Gender differences in the clinical manifestation of depression and related variables were examined in 170 depressed outpatients.
Method:
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.
Conclusion:
Psychosocial and biological explanations for these results are explored.
Limitations:
Descriptive study and multiple testing