Are certain people more susceptible to depression?
Women are
clearly at greater risk for developing depression than men. This may be
due to two factors. First, women are physiologically different, which may
explain some of the variance. More importantly, women are psychologically
different, and this psychology is shaped by both their different
physiology and also by the different cultural expectations placed on
them. They are expected to express their feelings more, and it is more
socially acceptable for them to admit to being depressed, although formal
studies have demonstrated that men and women are equally likely to report
their depressive symptoms. Depression often leads to withdrawal, which
can be interpreted as passivity in women, also more acceptable in Western
culture. Withdrawal in men is generally interpreted as a sign of
weakness, and thus, the men who withdraw usually describe it as a choice
without any change in mood. Thus, it is interpreted more as an
independent act and is re-characterized in more socially acceptable terms
such as stoicism. Social factors likely play a large roll in the higher
rates of depression in women as well.
Certain ethnic groups are more susceptible.
A correlation
appears to exist between latitude and susceptibility to depression.
Northern Europeans are the most susceptible, with Scandinavians suffering
from the highest rates and Mediterranean suffering from the lowest rates.
Certain races also appear to be more susceptible, with whites suffering
greater rates than blacks. Recently, a cultural shift has occurred in
Japan as a result of the introduction of safe and effective
antidepressants used to treat milder forms of depression. As Buddhism has
heavily influenced Japanese society, the notion that life is filled
primarily with suffering has been the accepted paradigm. In contrast,
Western culture tends to be more positive and hopeful. Thus, feeling sad
about one's lot in life in Japan was considered the norm, whereas in
Western culture, it is considered abnormal. As Japan has become more
Westernized and Buddhism less valued, the notion of milder forms of
depression that are effectively treated with antidepressant medications
has become more accepted.
Obesity and
depression
Obesity plays
a role in the development of depression, counteracting the myth of
Falstaff or "Jolly Old St. Nick." Studies are beginning to demonstrate
that significant weight loss in patients with clinical obesity can lead to
those patients being able to come off of antidepressants along with other
medications. Depression appears to be linked with obesity in a manner
similar to hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea, joint pain, and
diabetes. There may be some correlation with obesity, being female, and
suffering higher rates of depression. Females have, on average, higher
percentages of body fat than males, and body fat has higher estrogen
levels, the hormone involved in female development.
Personality styles
Certain
personality styles are more susceptible to depression, with shy,
reserved, or dependent people being at higher risk than outgoing,
sociable, or independent people. This is truer for males than females,
again because being shy, reserved, or dependent is more culturally
acceptable in females than males. Body fat and personality style have a
significant biological basis, although both are clearly shaped by
environmental factors.
