From Diathesis to Dimorphism

Abstract

Unipolar depression is more common in women than men. We pursue a unifying explanation for the sex difference in the incidence of depression that emerges at puberty and is unlikely to be fully explained as an artifact or as a result of socialization or contemporary sex roles. Because symptomatic anxiety disorders show a similar female preponderance in women, we consider the biology of anxiety disorders and their links to depression. Rather than viewing gender as directly determining differential unipolar depression rates, we hypothesize a primary postpubertal effect of gonadal hormones on limbic system hyperactivity, which predisposes women to potentially higher rates of certain anxiety and depressive disorders.