RESUMO
An educational programme on depressive disorders, given to general practitioners on the Swedish island of Gotland, resulted in a statistically significant reduction of the suicide rate among women, though that among men was virtually unaffected. Further analysis showed the profile of depression among men to differ from that among women, the male pattern typically being more characterised by irritability, aggressiveness, acting out, antisocial behaviour and alcohol abuse, and reduced impulse control and stress tolerance. Predisposition to affective disorders, suicide and alcoholism seems to be genetically determined. The syndrome, which is not easily recognised and is seldom properly treated or prevented, seems to be related to central serotonin deficiency and hypercortisolaemia.