Childhood abuse victims 'twice as likely' to suffer from lifetime of depression
Childhood abuse victims 'twice as likely' to suffer from lifetime of depression
Lead investigator Dr Andrea Danese 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.
'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.
Previous research has shown that abused individuals are prone to abnormalities in biological systems sensitive to psychological stress both in childhood and adult life.
These may include the brain and hormonal and immune systems.
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.'
The research was published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Co-author Dr Rudolf Uher said the study showed anti-depressant medication, psychological treatment and the combination of the two were less effective for child abuse victims.
'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.'
