[Women seek for help - men die! Is depression really a female disease?].

Prevalence rates of depression in females are about two to three times higher as compared to men. Biological evidence seems to support these data. Genderspecific suiciderates, closely linked to depressive illness, however raise doubts about the genderspecific epidemiological data of depression as males commit suicide three to ten times more often than females. The sociomedical concept of "male depression" delivers an explanation. A gender bias in diagnose as well as a reduced male helpseeking behavior and dysfuntional stress coping in males might be reasons for the reported low prevalence-rates of depression in males. Depression might hide behind addictive- and risk-behavior as well as irritability. As these symptoms differ from the classic depressive symptoms they might not be detected and identified as such. Validated rating scales which specifically assess male symptoms of depression, as well as peer-education programs for colleagues might change current depression rates in males.