Abuse Increases Incidence of Depression in Kids

According to the conclusions of a new scientific study, it would appear that children who are exposed to abuse are twice more likely to develop symptoms associated with depression either immediately, or during his or her teenage years.

Researchers discovered that these individuals have a higher change of exhibiting multiple episodes of clinical depression, which is a very severe condition. At the same time, being exposed to abuse also raises sufferers' chances of experiencing longer-lasting bouts of depression.

The investigation was carried out by a team of researchers at King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry. Experts here say that abuse appears to hinder the efficiency of antidepressants doctors prescribe to treat severe depression.

In light of the fact that this condition affects about 1 in 15 people in the United States, and 1 in 12 teens, such studies are essential for public health. Worldwide, depression is one of the most common mental disorders, according to statistics.

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that this condition will become the second-most common in the world by 2020, when considering all age groups. Most patients will develop multiple and long-lasting depressive episodes, placing a tremendous burden on society and healthcare systems.

In order to arrive at the new conclusions, the UK investigators revealed 16 studies, which covered a total of 23,000 patients. As such, these conclusions are relevant to global rends, PsychCentral reports.

When it comes to children, the team says, there are many behaviors that qualify as abuse. These include sexual abuse, harsh physical treatment applied by one or both parents, or rejection by the mother.

“Even for combined treatments, patients with a history of childhood maltreatment cannot be adequately cared for,” King's lead researcher Andrea Danese explains. The study that showed these people display poorer response to depression medication covered 3,000 individuals.

“Identifying those at risk of multiple and long-lasting depressive episodes is crucial from a public health perspective,” the team writes in the latest issue of American Journal of Psychiatry.

“The results 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,” the experts conclude.