Gender-biased diagnosis and treatment of depression: considering our blind eye on men’s depression

The commentary explores the critical issue of gender bias in the diagnosis and treatment of depression, responding to the study by Bacigalupe et al. [3] that highlights disparities in mental health care for older adults. While acknowledging the study's strengths, it argues for deeper exploration into systemic biases and gendered symptomatology. Women's frequent healthcare interactions increase their likelihood of diagnosis and treatment, while men's reluctance to seek help often results in delayed or missed diagnoses, further complicated by male-typical externalizing symptoms like aggression, risk-taking, and substance abuse. Traditional diagnostic tools and criteria, rooted in prototypical internalizing symptoms, fail to adequately capture these male-typical presentations.The commentary also underscores the role of traditional masculinity ideologies (TMI) in shaping men's mental health behaviors. These socially constructed norms promote emotional suppression and self-reliance, exacerbating gender role conflict, dysfunction and discrepancy stress, thereby reducing help-seeking behaviors. High conformity to TMI correlates with poor therapeutic outcomes, higher dropout rates, and diminished treatment efficacy. The commentary critiques the dual bias evident in overmedicalizing women's mental health while neglecting masculine expressions of distress, advocating for gender-sensitive diagnostic reforms.In conclusion, the commentary calls for equitable mental health care frameworks that recognize diverse depressive manifestations across genders. Addressing these biases through gender-sensitive practices and diagnostic adjustments can bridge disparities, reduce over- or under-treatment, and foster inclusivity in mental health care systems, ensuring better outcomes for all individuals.