Readers respond to stress, tattoos, and the universe
Stress sequel
Men and women react differently under pressure, Susan Gaidos reported in “He stress, she stress” (SN: 1/23/16, p. 18). Scientists are studying the genetic and cellular underpinnings of stress responses to try to understand why some stress-related disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, are more common in women than men.
Several online readers drew attention to a chart accompanying the story that showed higher prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse in men compared with women. Stress-related disorders that disproportionately affect men also need explaining, they agreed. “We respond differently (on average) to stress,” wrote Owen Okie, “but responses can be hidden behind coping mechanisms — addiction or gambling, or violence, or so on.”