Posted by ShawnThomas on February 22, 2008, at 12:19:33
In reply to why women are more likely to get depression, posted by Netch on February 15, 2008, at 9:17:22
While that connection may be possible, you must be careful to note that correlation does not imply causation. Biological processes involve multiple interacting factors, and singling out specific, causal reasons for complex phenomenon like this is difficult if not impossible. I do think that differences in serotonin systems in men and women could influence the varying rates of depression, but this doesn't really explain why the difference exists. To really get to the bottom of the matter, we need to ask how differences in the depression rates for the two sexes have been influenced by evolutionary pressures. Also, how have evolutionary pressures influenced differences in neurochemistry between the sexes? How do social influences factor in, and how do cultural influences affect rates of depression in men & women? Those are very difficult questions, and I am not sure that we could ever find a satisfactory answer any of them. I do think that we ought to try, because we're likely to learn a lot along the way.
Shawn
poster:ShawnThomas
thread:812858
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080204/msgs/814104.html