How many people get depressed?
• While the incidence of reported depression in the U.S. is higher for women than for men, 4 to 9 percent vs. 2 to 3 percent, it is not clear whether men get depressed less often, or whether it’s simply harder to tell when they’re depressed. Men in general, are less likely to seek help, while women may be more comfortable expressing their depression because of societal expectation of gender-typed behavior. Factors that affect the experience of depression Gender • Women generally talk more about the emotional experience of depression: “I feel sad,” “I get upset so easily.” • Men, on the other hand, may talk more about the physical symptoms of depression and complain about not being able to concentrate, feeling tired, or having physical pain. Depression in men may also be more likely to be expressed as anger or be masked by substance use. Culture • Individuals may focus on the physical effects of depression (e.g. fatigue, stomach pain, headaches) because of the stigma attached to emotion
