Survey study, 1995
Is depression being missed in women's health care?
Depression is twice as common in women as in men and occurs in as many as 21% of women over their lifetime. Doctors often miss it because depression hides behind complaints about other gynecologic problems.
What they did
Reviewed research on depression in women, with focus on how it presents in obstetric and gynecology practices.
What they found
Depression occurs twice as often in women as in men. The lifetime risk of major depression in women is estimated as high as 21%. Less severe depression (mild depression and chronic mild depression) is also common and causes problems. Depression often goes unrecognized because it masks behind complaints about other gynecologic conditions.
What it means for you
Depression is a serious and common health problem for women that doctors may miss because women describe symptoms related to other gynecologic issues. This is a literature review that summarizes existing research rather than providing new evidence from a specific study.
2 times
how often depression occurs in women compared to men
21%
estimated lifetime risk of major depression in women
About the study
- Original title
- Recognition of depression in obstetric/gynecology practices
- Authors
- Yonkers KA, Chantilis SJ
- Journal
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(95)90295-3
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