Gender and Depression - Different Manifestations, Different Treatments

Without understanding the differences in the characteristic ways men and women experience and exhibit depression, we can't effectively treat either. For example, women often find it much easier to admit to feeling depressed, typically show symptoms more consistent with the current DSM-IV diagnosis for depression, admit they need help, and are more willing to accept medications. Men are more likely to say they're stressed rather than depressed and exhibit substance-abuse problems, workaholism, emotional withdrawal, or present with a variety of physical ailments. Women may be more familiar, and therefore more comfortable, with a relational approach that focuses on being able to ask for help, depend on the counseling relationship, express vulnerable emotions, and explore family-of-origin issues, while men often respond better to a more task-oriented, coaching model of therapy. In this workshop, we'll combine a didactic approach with case studies and structured exercises to explore these differences and learn how to shape our clinical interventions accordingly.