Depression in Men and Women

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the world (World Health Organization [WHO], 2025b). The two most common types of depression are major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder.

The main difference between them is that the symptoms of persistent depressive disorder lasts for at least 2 years (in adults) rather than weeks (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). There are other types of depression, such as seasonal affective disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Depression Statistics
Depression is a mental illness that impacts approximately 4% of the world’s population (WHO, 2025a). As the current population is estimated to be eight billion people, this means that roughly 320 million people are believed to have depression and has claimed roughly 727,000 lives in 2021. Among adults, 4.6% of men and 6.9% of women are believed to have depression and it has been found that white men account for 80% of suicide deaths (McCrackin, 2026).
The clinical symptoms required for a diagnosis of a depressive episode are that at least five of the nine symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) be present over at least two weeks, cause significant distress or impairment, not be otherwise explained by a substance or medical condition, and not be better explained by another disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Some of the symptoms of depression are: depressed mood most of the day and/or nearly every day, lack of interest or pleasure, particularly in previously enjoyed activities, significant weight loss/weight gain or increased/decreased appetite, changes in sleep patterns, changes in physical activity noticed by others, feeling worthless or excessive inappropriate guilt, inability to concentrate or sustain attention/focus, and recurrent suicidal thoughts or actions. Of these nine symptoms, depressed mood and/or lack of interest must be present for the diagnostic criteria to be met. If both are absent, a different diagnosis may be provided such as other specified depressive disorder.  However, it is important to note that depression can manifest differently in men compared to women.
Differences in Depression Symptoms in Men and Women
One major difference between depression in men compared to women is that men are more likely to express irritability when depressed, while women are more likely to express it with the more typical symptoms (Giambrone, 2024; National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.; WHO, 2025a). This difference in how symptomatology manifests is part of why women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, and in fact, women are more likely to seek mental health help (Giambrone, 2024; McCrackin, 2026). It is likely that at least part of the gender gap in depression diagnoses is due to men not seeking help or going undiagnosed due to the different symptoms, and criteria failing to take that into account.
Men can also experience physical pain while depressed (Giambrone, 2024), a symptom rarely mentioned in women. Instead, women are more likely to report psychological distress. Men are also more likely to have externalized symptoms (Illinois Department of Public Health, n.d.).
There are also some mood disorders that are associated with reproductive biology and hormonal cycles, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome that often requires treatment (John Hopkins Medicine, n.d.). Postpartum depression is clinically referred to as Major Depressive Disorder with peripartum onset (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). It is another form of depression more common in women than men that occurs after the birth of a child, although it still can happen in men (Scarff, 2019). It is believed that the hormonal differences are part of why women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression (Giambrone, 2024).
It has also been found that women are more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder such as depression. Men, on the other hand, are 3-4.5 times more likely to die from suicide, particularly due to various undiagnosed mental illnesses (Illinois Department of Public Health, n.d.). In addition, they are much more likely to be diagnosed with substance misuse disorder.
Stereotypes and Stigmas of Depression
It is important to talk about the stereotypes and stigmas of depression, as well as mental health in general, when talking about the gender differences of depression, as the culture that people live in heavily impacts their mental health. It is well known that within the U.S., masculine norms heavily impact stigma (McCrackin, 2026). It is less socially acceptable for men to cry or otherwise visibly display that they are sad, while anger is a more socially acceptable emotion for men. Interestingly, it is almost the inverse for women. Men and boys are often subjected to feminine-coded derogatory labels when they display sadness or vulnerability, whereas women are often told that they are “on their period” or behaving “hysterically” when they express anger.
There is a societal stigma against not just mental health, but against men specifically seeking mental health, which contributes to men being less likely than women to seek mental help. Part of this is due to the masculine norms that are so prominent in many cultures, particularly in the U.S. (Giambrone, 2024; McCrackin, 2026). They are often taught not to openly discuss their emotions, which may lead them to suppress or internalize their feelings. This could influence how depression, and other mental health conditions manifest in men compared with women.
There is also a stigma against depression in particular, with one of the most common beliefs being that only “weak” individuals experience it (McCrackin, 2026; UnityPoint Health, n.d.). Another common myth is that individuals with depression are lazy, and “it’s just a phase” (Wasden, 2023). Many of the myths held about depression, as well as mental health in general, impact people’s likelihood of seeking help or opening up about their struggles. It has also been shown that stigma worsens mental health problems (Simply Psychology Editorial, 2026).
Resources
There are many resources available to help individuals suffering from depression. If in need of someone to talk to, Crisis Text Line is available anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico 24/7 and is linked in the reference list. In addition, Crisis Text Line provides support to individuals in Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland. There are also various support groups offered, depending on one’s area. In addition, the Trevor Project focuses on suicide prevention in LGBTQ+ young people. Shout provides free mental health support to those in the UK, and 7 Cups provides a service similar to Crisis Text Line. 
 Medication is also effective in the treatment of depression, particularly serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (Karrouri et al., 2021). The most effective treatment for depression thus far is medicine combined with therapy, and Karrouri et al. (2021) also found that cognitive behavioral therapy is good for depression. However, therapy and/or psychotropic medication is not a one-size fits all. Everyone has their own unique needs. What works best for one person is not guaranteed to work for another, which means it is best to find the therapy that fits you best and a therapist that you connect well with. It is also important to ask questions to your prescribing provider if you are seeking medication management and understand that medications, particularly antidepressants, take a while to see effects. Pederson (2023) goes over some other effective treatments for depression, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a national helpline to help provide referral and treatment information for those struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health-related problems.

References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Crisis Text Line. https://www.crisistextline.org/
Giambrone, H. (2024, December 23). How gender differences affect mental health in adults. https://mhcsandiego.com/blog/gender-differences-in-mental-health/
Illinois Department of Public Health. (n.d.). Men's Mental Health Facts and Statistics. Illinois.gov. https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/mens-health/facts-and-statistics/mental-health.html
John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.) Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Retrieved June 5, 2026, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd
Karrouri, R., Hammani, Z., Benjelloun, R., & Othema, Y. ( 2021). Major depressive disorder: Validated treatments and future challenges. World Journal of Clinical Cases, 9(31), 9350-9367. http://dx.doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v9.i31.9350
McCrackin, C. (2026, January 8). Men and mental health stigma. AddictionCenter. Retrieved June 5, 2026, from https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/men-mental-health-stigma/
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Depression. Retrieved June 4, 2026, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression
Pederson, T. (2023, July 26). What are the types of therapy for depression? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/types-of-depression-therapy
Scarff, J.R. (2019). Postpartum depression in men. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 16(5-6), 11-14. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6659987/
Shout. https://giveusashout.org/
Simply Psychology Editorial. (2026, May 23). Mental health stigma: How shame prevents treatment and what changes it (2026). Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.com/articles/mental-health-stigma-barriers-to-care
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
The Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
UnityPoint Health. (n.d.) 11 common myths about depression. Retrieved June 5, 2026, from https://www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/11-common-myths-about-depression-unitypoint-health
Wasden, S. (2023, October 13). Dealing with the stigma of major depressive disorder. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/mdd-stigma
World Health Organization. (2025, August 29). Depressive disorder (depression). Retrieved June 4, 2026, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
World Health Organization. (2025, September 30). Mental disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
7 cups. https://www.7cups.com/