Sublime

Evidence has poured in recently that supports the role of rumination in producing the sex differences in depression. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema of Stanford University, who originated the rumination theory, has led the way in testing it.

This implies that men and women experience mild depression at the same rate, but in women, who dwell on the state, the mild depression escalates; men, on the other hand, dissolve the state by distracting themselves, by action or perhaps by drinking it away.

Women are twice as likely to suffer depression as men are, because on the average they think about problems in ways that amplify depression.

So analyzing and wallowing in emotion when distressed seems a likely explanation for why women are more depressed than men.

Low mood increases any self-criticism or self-attack that we already do.

when those with low self-esteem were told it is OK to experience negative thoughts, their mood improved.