Did you know men and women handle distress differently?

Psychologists have known for some time that women show higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders, while men show higher rates of substance abuse and antisocial behaviours.

A new study involving 43,000 Americans, published in the August Journal of Abnormal Psychology http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2011/08/mental-illness.aspx may have found the underlying reason.

Women tend to internalise (or keep inside) their distress such as going over the same negative thoughts. This is known as ruminating. This can lead to anxiety and depression. Men tend to externalise (or push out) their distress such as acting aggressively or trying to control others. This can lead to relationship difficulties.

Clinical psychologists can help prevent distress by teaching people who internalise how to avoid dwelling on negative thoughts or actively solving the problem and by teaching people who tend to externalise distress how to cope with negative emotions in more positive ways, such as learning to be less reactive, increasing exercise or meditation.

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