summary Depression is twice as common in women as in men. Aside from artefactual determinants, this gender difference is caused by biological, psychological and social factors. Clinical features (symptoms, severity, course and comorbidity) differ partly by sex. Studies on gender differences in response to treatment with antidepressants, psychotherapy, or a combination thereof are scarce. There are indications that women respond better and faster to antidepressants (ssri's), whereas men recover faster when psychotherapy is added.