Childhood abuse doubles risk of depression

Childhood abuse doubles the risk of a life blighted by depression, a study has found.

The research also shows abused individuals are less likely to respond to treatments for depression.

Scientists examined pooled data from 26 separate studies involving more than 23,000 participants.

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Analysis revealed people maltreated in childhood are twice as likely as those with no history of abuse to develop multiple and long-lasting depression.

Lead investigator Dr Andrea Danese, from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, said: “Identifying those at risk of multiple and long-lasting depressive episodes is crucial from a public health perspective.

“The results of our study indicate that childhood maltreatment is associated both with an increased risk of developing recurrent and persistent episodes of depression, and with an increased risk of responding poorly to treatment.

“Therefore, prevention and early therapeutic interventions targeting childhood maltreatment could prove vital in helping prevent the major health burden owing to depression.

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“Knowing that individuals with a history of maltreatment won’t respond as well to treatment may also be valuable for clinicians in determining patients’ prognosis.”

One in 10 children worldwide is exposed to maltreatment including psychological, physical or sexual abuse or neglect.

Research has shown that abused individuals are prone to abnormalities in biological systems sensitive to psychological stress.

Dr Danese added: “The biological abnormalities associated with childhood maltreatment could potentially explain why individuals with a history of maltreatment were found to be more likely than non-maltreated individuals to respond poorly to treatment for depression.”

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Details of the research are being published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Co-author Dr Rudolf Uher, also from the Institute of Psychiatry, said: “Our study has shown that anti-depressant medication, psychological treatment and the combination of the two are less effective in those who have a history of childhood maltreatment.

“Whilst we still do not know exactly what type of treatment may improve the care of maltreated individuals, it may be that new treatments based on the biological vulnerabilities associated with childhood maltreatment could prove an exciting avenue for research.”