Gender differences in depression and anxiety: The role of age

Although females run greater risk for affective disorders, the greater vulnerability of women for these disorders varies with the age. The present study evaluates the lifetime incidence of depressive and anxiety disorders by age and gender in a community sample (2363 subjects; 54.6% females), representative of the general population (Sesto Fiorentino Study). Lifetime prevalence of affective disorders resulted higher in females. The age-sex pattern for affective disorders was observed only before menopause. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.