Gender differences in mood disorders. A literature review

Abstract

The study of gender differences in mood disorders may have important clinical implications such as identifying clinical subtypes or symptoms clusters specific to each sex, and will help better understand pathophysiological mechanisms involved in affective illness.

In unipolar depression the most frequent gender differences found are a greater prevalence of depression in women than in men and a worst outcome in women: they are more likely to have a chronic and recurrent course with longer episodes. Also, depressed women have higher rates of comorbidity than depressed men. Gender differences in response to treatment are as yet inconclusive. Women tend to display more side effects at the usual doses. It may be useful to consider a dosage adjustment during the premenstrual period and if hormonal therapies are being administered.

No gender differences in the prevalence of bipolar disorder have been found, except for a greater incidence of rapid cycling in women (ratio 3:1).