• Both men and women were equally likely to classify a woman as having the condition
  • But men were less able to spot it amongst themselves

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 17:00 EST, 14 November 2012 | UPDATED: 17:00 EST, 14 November 2012

People identify symptoms of depression more readily in women than men

People identify symptoms of depression more readily in women than men

People identify symptoms of depression more readily in women than men, according to a new study.

Researchers found gender stereotypes influence public perceptions of depressed people.

For instance, when presented with a scenario of a man or woman in distress, men were more likely to say a woman was depressed than their male counterparts. 

Dr Viren Swami, a reader in psychology at the University of Westminster, presented study participants with one of two fictitious subjects, Kate and Jack. 

Both were described as having identical symptoms of major depression, the only difference being their suggested gender.

For example, a sample of the test reads: 'For the past two weeks, Kate/Jack has been feeling really down. 

'S/he wakes up in the morning with a flat, heavy feeling that sticks with her/him all day. S/he isn't enjoying things the way s/he normally would. S/he finds it hard to concentrate on anything.'

The respondents were asked to identify whether the individual described suffered a mental health disorder, and how likely they would be to recommend seeking professional help to the subject in the test.

Both men and women were equally likely to classify Kate as having a mental health disorder, but men were less likely than women to indicate that Jack suffered from depression.

Dr Swami said: 'Men were also more likely to recommend that Kate seek professional help than women were, but both men and women were equally likely to make this suggestion for Jack. 

'Respondents, particularly men, rated Kate's case as significantly more distressing, difficult to treat, and deserving of sympathy than they did Jack's case.'

He also found that individual attitudes towards depression were associated with scepticism about psychiatry and anti-scientific attitudes. 

Dr Swami added: 'The results are significant for initiatives aimed at enhancing mental health literacy, which should consider the impact of gender stereotypes and attitudes towards help-seeking behaviours.'
 

The comments below have not been moderated.

mtm, people are going to open up to people they feel comfortable opening up to. By the looks of it, that isn't you.

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I think that if more men were told that depression was the product of a chemical imbalance in the brain and that it could be treated with chemical means so that it was "only" a technical/scientific problem with a laboratory-science solution, and not indicative of a lack of moral fiber or machismo, they would be more willing to admit it and get treatment.

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its not that men dont want to talk, speaking for myself i just cant find the words. i dont confide in male friends because i dont know how or want to be thought of as weird...stigma exisits beyond the soft political agenda of denying it. my partner knows me well enough to read me, as i do with her. we love and support each other, thats what a real adult relationship is about beyond holidays/flowers and good days. @minnie..clinical depression has nothing to do with feeling *hard done to" its an illness, with symptoms and pain. like any other.

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We need to end the stigma associated with depression and other mental issues. That will help people to accept that they have a problem, to stop deluding themselves, and as such will be more likely to seek help. This 'only the weak break down' idea was outdated during WW1. Its time we reached out to those struggling and let them know that its not shameful, not weak. Its just an illness, like any other.

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It's about time men opened up and said what was on their minds when they're feeling down and depressed and it's also about time they confided in their male friends. There's really no point in putting on some BS bravado act where the poor women/partners in your lives are left to double guess what's wrong with you. It's no good complaining either how hard done to you are or that there's no support out there for you if you just sit there saying nothing or trying to hide it is there?! Yes that's harsh but it's true.

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