ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare socio-demographic and clinical characteristics in men and women with depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 388 patients with unipolar depression, 74 men and 314 women. The survey was carried out using the clinical-psychopathological method and psychometric scales for depression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Gender differences are identified for several parameters. Women are older, more often had comorbid somatic and organic disorders; men have personality disorders and chronic depression. The severity of depression in women was higher due to symptoms such as reported sadness, anxiety, reduced sleep and appetite, concentration difficulties, and suicidal thoughts. Apparent sadness did not significantly differ in men and women. Anhedonia was more pronounced in men.
Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder , Anhedonia , Anxiety , Anxiety Disorders , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/epidemiology , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder/epidemiology , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To comparare socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with the first depressive episode and recurrent depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred and twenty one patients with unipolar depression, including 96 patients with first depressive episode and 225 patients with recurrent depression, were examined using clinical and psychometric methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were differences in clinical characteristics between groups but such factors as gender, marital status, level of education, family history of mental disorders and personality were similar. With each new episode of recurrent depression, the next episode tends to be more severe with more intense pessimistic and suicidal thoughts but fewer anxiety and complaints of depressive mood that affects the differences and requires further research, especially considering the effect of therapy.
