Citation

Möller-Leimkühler AM. J. Neurol. Neuroch. Psychiatr. 2008; 9(3): 40-45.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Krause & Pachernegg)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Gender-related rates of depression and suicidality implicate a double gender paradox: while the life-time risk of depression in women is two to three times higher compared to men, their suicide rate is low, but their rate of attempted suicides is three times higher compared to men. In contrast, the suicide rate in men is at least three times higher, but their depression rate amounts to only half the women's rate. Although this has been well-known for a long time existing explanations are not sufficient. In this paper, depression and suicidality are explained in the context of gender-related stress exposure, stress vulnerability and stress response. In particular, the question is discussed whether the concept of male depression contributes to explain the gender paradox in depression and suicide in men.

Language: de

Keywords

human; suicide; female; male; sex difference; suicide attempt; major depression; suicidal behavior; risk assessment; risk factor; review; mental stress; emotional stress