Depressive Symptoms and Relationship Between Genders: Differences in Young Adults in a Randomized Clinical Trial

Depression has a high prevalence in the general population, especially among women. There is no consensus in the scientific literature about differences between men and women in the manifestations of depressive symptoms, nor about psychotherapy indications according to gender. This research aimed to verify differences in depressive symptoms and symptoms improvement between young adult men and women with current Major Depressive Disorder and to identify differences between two brief Cognitive Psychotherapy models. Randomized clinical trial in which participants were randomized between: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Narrative Cognitive Therapy. Depressive symptoms pre and post-intervention were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The sample was composed of 25 men and 95 women. Genital symptoms and insight were significantly different between genders. Concerning improvement in symptoms according to the psychotherapy model, CBT presented a trend toward being more effective in men. Therefore, the symptoms and improvement in depressive symptoms are manifested differently between genders.La depresión tiene una alta prevalencia en la población general, especialmente entre las mujeres. No hay consenso en la literatura científica sobre las diferencias en las manifestaciones de síntomas depresivos entre hombres y mujeres, ni sobre las indicaciones de las psicoterapias según el género. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar las diferencias en los síntomas depresivos y la mejora de los síntomas en hombres y mujeres jóvenes adultos con Trastorno Depresivo Mayor actual y comprobar las diferencias entre los dos modelos de psicoterapia cognitiva. En este ensayo clínico, los participantes fueron asignados aleatoriamente entre: Psicoterapia Cognitivo Comportamental y Psicoterapia Cognitiva Narrativa. Los síntomas de depresión pre y post intervención se evaluaron mediante la Escala de Depresión de Hamilton. La muestra estuvo constituida por 25 hombres y 95 mujeres. Síntomas genitales y de conciencia fueron significativamente diferentes entre los géneros. En cuanto a la mejoría de los síntomas de acuerdo con el modelo psicoterapéutico, el PCC tuvo una tendencia a ser más eficaz entre los hombres. Es posible observar que la sintomatología y la mejora en los síntomas depresivos se manifiestan de forma diferente entre géneros.A depressão apresenta elevada prevalência na população geral, especialmente entre as mulheres. Não existe consenso na literatura científica a respeito de diferenças das manifestações de sintomas depressivos entre homens e mulheres, bem como, quanto à indicações de psicoterapias conforme o gênero. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar as diferenças na sintomatologia depressiva e melhora dos sintomas em homens e mulheres adultos jovens com Transtorno Depressivo Maior e identificar as diferenças entre dois modelos de Psicoterapia Cognitiva. Em ensaio clínico, os participantes foram randomizados entre: Psicoterapia Cognitivo Comportamental e Psicoterapia Cognitiva Narrativa. A sintomatologia depressiva pré e pós intervenção foi avaliada pela Hamilton Depression Scale. Participaram do estudo 25 homens e 95 mulheres. Os sintomas genitais e de consciência foram significativamente diferentes entre os gêneros. Quanto à melhora dos sintomas de acordo com o modelo psicoterapêutico, a PCC apresentou uma tendência a ser mais eficaz entre os homens. Sendo assim, é possível observar que a sintomatologia e a melhora dos sintomas depressivos manifestam-se diferentemente entre os gêneros

Prevalence of depression in users of primary care settings

CONTEXTO: A depressão é um importante problema de saúde global e vem causando impacto negativo na vida dos indivíduos e na de suas famílias, além de elevar a demanda dos serviços de saúde. OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência de depressão e de fatores associados em indivíduos com idade superior a 14 anos que buscaram atendimento na atenção primária. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal em três Unidades Básicas de Saúde vinculadas à Universidade Católica de Pelotas. A depressão, os transtornos de ansiedade e o risco de suicídio foram avaliados por meio da Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), enquanto os fatores associados, como idade, gênero, vive ou não com o/a companheiro/a, escolaridade e uso de substâncias psicoativas, foram avaliados por meio de questionário sociodemográfico. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de depressão foi de 23,9% (n = 256), apresentando-se mais evidente nas mulheres, com 4 a 7 anos de escolaridade, de classe socioeconômica D ou E, que abusam ou são dependentes de álcool, com algum transtorno de ansiedade e com risco de suicídio (p < 0,050). CONCLUSÃO: Diante de tais resultados, salientamos a inserção de cuidados em saúde mental por meio de avaliações diagnósticas e de protocolos de atendimento que abarquem a depressão e suas comorbidades na atenção primária.BACKGROUND: Depression, an important global health problem, negatively impacts the lives of individuals and their families beyond simply increasing the demand for health services. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of depression and associated mental health issues in individuals older than 14 years of age seeking primary care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three primary care units involved with the Catholic University of Pelotas. Depression, anxiety disorders, and suicide risk were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Factors such as age, gender, solitary living, education, and psychoactive substance use were evaluated using a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of depression was 23.9% (n = 256). Depression was more prevalent in women with only 4-7 years of education, in women who belong to socioeconomic class D or E, in those who abuse or are dependent on alcohol, or in women who showed an anxiety disorder or suicide risk (p < 0.050). DISCUSSION: Based on these findings, we emphasize the integration of mental health care into primary care through diagnostic evaluations and treatment protocols that cover depression and its comorbidities

Suicide risk and childhood trauma in individuals diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract Introduction Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after exposure to a potentially traumatic event. Its clinical condition may lead to the development of risk behaviors, and its early detection is a relevant aspect to be considered. The aim of this study was to assess the association between childhood trauma and suicide risk in individuals with PTSD. Method This was a cross-sectional study conducted with individuals aged 18 to 60 years who were evaluated at a mental health research outpatient clinic. PTSD diagnosis and suicide risk identification were performed using specific modules of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-Plus). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to evaluate traumatic events in childhood. Results Of the 917 individuals evaluated, 55 were diagnosed with PTSD. The suicide risk prevalence in individuals with PTSD was 63.6%. Emotional neglect and emotional abuse scores tended to be higher in the suicide risk group (p<0.2). Conclusion Our findings showed a higher prevalence of suicide risk in individuals with PTSD and support the hypothesis that the investigation of childhood traumatic experiences, especially emotional neglect and abuse, may help in the early detection of suicide risk in individuals with PTSD

Depressive Symptoms and Relationship Between Genders: Differences in Young Adults in a Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract: Depression has a high prevalence in the general population, especially among women. There is no consensus in the scientific literature about differences between men and women in the manifestations of depressive symptoms, nor about psychotherapy indications according to gender. This research aimed to verify differences in depressive symptoms and symptoms improvement between young adult men and women with current Major Depressive Disorder and to identify differences between two brief Cognitive Psychotherapy models. Randomized clinical trial in which participants were randomized between: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Narrative Cognitive Therapy. Depressive symptoms pre and post-intervention were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The sample was composed of 25 men and 95 women. Genital symptoms and insight were significantly different between genders. Concerning improvement in symptoms according to the psychotherapy model, CBT presented a trend toward being more effective in men. Therefore, the symptoms and improvement in depressive symptoms are manifested differently between genders