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Women and men Doctors have divergent views
on women and depression
Newswise — Women and men doctors have some divergent views
about women and depression, according to a
recent survey conducted by the Society for
Women’s Health Research, a Washington, D.C.,
based advocacy organization.
Women doctors are more likely than their male counterparts to
believe that women are specifically
susceptible to depression during two key
times of hormonal transition in a woman’s
life: puberty (67.5 percent to 48.2 percent)
and perimonpause (92.8 percent to 67.5
percent).
There was no difference in the beliefs of male and female
doctors about the risk of depression in the
postpartum or post menopause periods.
When asked what the major symptoms of depression are, female
doctors were significantly more likely to
mention lack of motivation or giving up
easily and being unable to concentrate.
Trouble sleeping, lack of energy or fatigue, not
feeling well, feeling sad, crying, changes
in appetite, and a loss of interest in
friends, activities or social life were the
leading responses for both sexes.
“The beliefs of female and male doctors about women and
depression are pretty consistent,” said Jo
Parrish, vice president of communications
for the Society, “but our survey does reveal
a few areas where female doctors may be more
in tune with the changes women undergo and
the feelings they experience, which is not
unexpected.
“The survey findings are a good reminder for all of us, both
patients and doctors, to communicate
carefully and clearly with one another about
health so that we can get the right
diagnosis and the right treatment for each
patient, regardless of sex. It is easy to
fall into the lull of thinking that our
doctors have all the information and know
everything they need to know, when in fact
what we tell them and how well that
information is received has a tremendous
impact on our health and health care
outcomes.”
On the topic of risk factors for postpartum depression,
female doctors were considerably more likely
to mention difficult or complicated
pregnancies or deliveries; lack of support
or help with the baby; and difficulty
dealing with a newborn, including sickness.
In general, female doctors were more likely
to attribute a woman’s sense of being
overwhelmed as a source of postpartum
depression.
“Women doctors, many of whom are mothers themselves, are
likely more sensitive to the immense burden
that new mothers can place on themselves for
the health and care of their new baby,”
Parrish said. “When things go wrong, women
can blame themselves, which can lead to
sadness or feelings of guilt and contribute
to depression. It is an issue about which
women need to talk openly and doctors need
to be mindful.”
The survey did find consensus among male and female doctors
on several issues. Almost identical
percentages of women and men doctors, about
84 percent, agree that women are at higher
risk than men of ever having major
depression. Strong majorities of women and
men doctors also believe it is safe for
women to take medication for depression in
the postpartum period and under the right
circumstances during pregnancy, opinions not
as strongly shared by women in the general
population.
The survey of 417 male and 83 female doctors was conducted
Oct. 11-17, 2007, via the Internet by
International Communications Research (ICR)
of Media, Pa. The margin of error for the
survey of doctors, which included family
practitioners, general practitioners and
internal medicine specialists, is 4.4
percent. Support for the survey was provided
to the Society by Novartis through an
educational grant.
