Men at high risk of depressive illness
13 March 2001
Depression peaks in middle age for men and slowly declines with maturity, in contrast with women, where high rates of depression occur in the 18-24 year age group, which then levels off, according to an article in the February 2001 edition of Australian Family Physician.
As well, men show two distinctive peaks where depression illness occurs, with the first peak occurring in younger men, and the second in men aged around 60 years.
Visiting Medical Officer and Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Dr Hugh Morgan said, ‘The reason for the peak seems to point to men being affected more by economic stressors, such as job status, income and wealth, compared with women.’
‘This heightened risk suggests that men are more vulnerable to change in social and economic conditions, which can impact on their confidence and self-esteem more than women,’ said Dr Morgan.
‘Depressive illness is the major factor that leads to suicide and attempted suicide,’ he said.
Research statistics show that the suicide rate is 5 times higher for men compared with that for women, yet the rate of depression is twice as great in women compared with men.
‘The rate of Australian males attempting suicide is nearly 5 times as high as that for women,’ Dr Morgan said.
Men at risk of depression include:
- those who are separated or divorced;
- those who have never married;
- men who have not completed high school or do not have post secondary school qualifications;
- those who are unemployed; and
- men who are medically ill.
Last Reviewed: 16 March 2001
