Women at double the risk of depression than men: research

Depression affects around one in six Australians, but women are diagnosed almost twice as often as men.

A new international study, led by a research team at QIMR Berghofer in Queensland, has identified biological and genetic differences which may explain this gap.

The research, the largest of its kind, analysed data from over 400,000 people worldwide, including a significant Australian cohort.

It revealed women and men may experience different biological pathways to depression and discovered 6,000 different DNA changes that could cause depression in females only. 

Image: Photo by Engin Akyurt: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wearing-black-camisole-3356489/

Produced By: Tia Bailey

Featured In Story: Dr Brittany Mitchell – Senior Research Officer at QIMR Berghofer

First aired on The Wire, Friday 10 October 2025