I. Depression

Prevalence.20% - 26% of women compared to 8% - 12

% of men.

Women just more willing to report.

Women have less income.

Depression takes the form of alcoholism in men.

Biological explanations.Hormones.

Mechanism of action.Estrogen and progesterone may act as

serotonin reuptake inhibiters.

Daily diary studies. In a study by Golub, women scored higher on a

depression measure when premenstrual (mean = 9.30) than mid-cycle (6.84).

The average score for a psychiatric population was 16.03.

Problems with the PMS concept.The role of expectancies.A study by Ruble experimentally manipulating

expectations.

Genetics. It is speculated that depression might reflect

mutations on the X chromosome. Support for this hypothesis through twin studies

and looking at patterns of mother-child versus father-child pairings of depression is mixed.

Environmental explanations.Learned helplessness.

Chronic exposure to uncontrollable negative events leads to feelings of helplessness, and ultimately, depression.

This model assumes that women are more likely to be exposed to these types of events in comparison to men.

Gender differences in coping styles (Hilt & Nolen-Hoeksema, 2009). Asserted that women are more likely to have a

ruminative coping style and men are more likely to have a distractive style.

Rumination is thought to strengthen feelings of depression, possibly by repeatedly “rehearsing” negative cognitions.

II. Eating disorders

Prevalence.90-95% of anorexic are females. 1 out of every 250 adolescence.

DSM-V CriteriaMaintaining a weight that is significantly

lower than what is minimally expected. Intense fear of gaining weight or

becoming fat even though underweight.Disturbance in the way in which body

weight or shape is experienced. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/01/most-

models-meet-criteria-for-anorexia-size-6-is-plus-size-magazine/

Other Symptoms / Characteristics Amenorrhea. Thinning hair. Dry, flaking skin. Constipation. Lanugo. Lowered body temperature--often 95-97 F. Obsessive and ritualistic about food. Perfectionistic overachievers. Highly resistant to therapy.

Differences between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Biological Are many biological changes that may represent

effects rather than causes. Twin studies suggest a heritability index of 50%.

Behavioral Purging behavior is reinforced by anxiety

reduction. Treatment is exposure w/ response prevention.

Cognitive-behavioral Assumes that cognitive distortions are a risk factor

for eating disorders. http://www.upworthy.com/2-people-described-the-same-person-to-a-forensic-artist-and-

this-is-what-happene?c=ufb2

Family and Systems.Rigid & Enmeshed boundaries.An over-emphasis on achievement and weight as a

sign of achievement.

Feminist.The thin ideal

A study of the Fuiji Islands (Becker, 2004). A review of the experimental research. Moderators.

Family factors.Internalization of the thin ideal.Race and internalization of the thin ideal.

Opression and the thin ideal http://www.returnofkings.com/21313/5-reasons-to-date-a-girl-with-an-eating-disorder