Are Women more Depressed than Men?

Afrik Update

HEALTH

                                   People identify symptoms of depression more readily in women than men

                         

People identify symptoms of depression more readily in women than men, according to a new study.

Researchers found gender stereotypes influence public perceptions of depressed people.

Jenny and Collins  were described as having identical symptoms of major depression, the only difference being their suggested gender. 

For example, a sample of the test reads: 'For the past two weeks, Jenny/Collins  has been feeling really down. 

'S/he wakes up in the morning with a flat, heavy feeling that sticks with her/him all day. S/he isn’t enjoying things the way s/he normally would. S/he finds it hard to concentrate on anything.'

Both men and women were equally likely to classify Jenny as having a mental health disorder, but men were less likely than women to indicate that Collins suffered from depression.

Dr Swami said: 'Men were also more likely to recommend that Jenny seek professional help than women were, but both men and women were equally likely to make this suggestion for Collins. 

'Respondents, particularly men, rated Jenny’s case as significantly more distressing, difficult to treat, and deserving of sympathy than they did Collin’s case.'

He also found that individual attitudes towards depression were associated with scepticism about psychiatry and anti-scientific attitudes. 

Dr Swami added: 'The results are significant for initiatives aimed at enhancing mental health literacy, which should consider the impact of gender stereotypes and attitudes towards help-seeking behaviours.'

Culled from dailymail