Posted by SLS on June 3, 2000, at 8:39:42
In reply to Ratios--women to men, posted by Lurker on June 3, 2000, at 6:25:20
> Has anyone ever looked at this site to see what the ratio of women to men is? The "powers that be" always say that depression is more common in women and I'm curious to know if that's true. Being a guy, I think that maybe we just don't report it to our docs as often as women do. Stubborn and thick-headed I guess. Just a saturday morning cosmic question.
I think it has long been speculated that a great deal of this statistical difference has been the result of a bias in reporting, just as you suggest. It is probably true, due to the expectations placed upon men by other men to be strong, and the responsibility to provide for the family. I'm sure this is a simplistic generalization, but I guess it will suffice. It has been O.K. for women to be "weak" and truthful.Perhaps a woman is more likely to have any psychiatric vulnerability she possesses to be penetrated by the activity of her sex hormones. I am guessing that, although the statistics are presently skewed, the rate of the occurrence of depression is greater in women. Postpartum depression-triggered major depression alone must account for some difference. In addition, now that a much higher percentage of women are in the workplace, there is greater parity between the sexes for being exposed to work-related stress. This has probably reduced a potential statistical difference in work-related depressions that had previously favored men. I don't know. Just guessing.
Obviously, women must be the stronger sex because they have to put up with being the weaker sex.
I hope no smily is necessary here.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:35809
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000603/msgs/35825.html