Most investigators report that depression is twice as common in women when compared to men. This holds true in the United States and in many societies around the world. For major depression, this ratio approaches almost 3:1. It is estimated that nearly 340 million people worldwide and 18 million people in the United States suffer from depression.

There are several explanations fro the disproportionate rate of depression in women. Hormonal changes around the time of pregnancy, menopause, and the premenstrual period can cause mood disturbances. Sexual or physical abuse is also more common in women and may contribute to higher rates of depression. It is also believed that women are more likely than men to talk about their symptoms and admit feelings of depression.

The last explanation comes from our wives. They argue that a woman is bound to be depressed when she has to put up with men who never listen; talk incessantly about sex, poop, and sports; and obsessively babble on about some book they wrote.

By Mark Leyner