[OneMoreTime]

Physical abuse and neglect often leads to severe adult depression
Affected children have increased risk of major psychological problems

Reuters
Updated: 11:26 a.m. CT Jan 2, 2007

CHICAGO - Physically abused and neglected children are much more likely to grow into severely depressed adults, a finding that researchers said Monday points to an urgent need to test abused children for depression early on.

Physically abused children have a 59 percent increased risk of lifetime major depression compared with similar children who were not abused, said the study in this month’s issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Earlier studies had linked childhood abuse with serious depression but researchers said this study is the first to show that depression is a consequence of the abuse.

“These results underscore the need to detect and treat the long-term psychological (effects) of childhood neglect,” wrote lead researcher Cathy Spatz Widom, who was with the New Jersey Medical School in Newark when she worked on the study.


Researchers compared about 680 children who were abused and neglected before the age of 11 with 520 children of similar age, race, sex, and social status. Both groups were followed into young adulthood, up to an average age of 29.

Children who were physically abused, neglected or both had as much as a 75 percent higher risk of suffering major depression as adults.
“In addition, these findings reveal that onset of depression began in childhood for many of the children,” the report said.

Source: Archives of General Psychiatry January 2007
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16437574/

[Judy2]

This is the first time for me on this board and found a couple interesting threads. I'm usually at the MS or Fibromyalgia boards, but of course depression is part of both these conditions.

Thanks One, for posting this article. Depression has been with me my whole adult life, even before the MS diagnosis, with two major depressions -- and yes, I suffered physical, sexual and emotional abuse during my childhood. I'm now in my sixties and still find it a challenge!

Why do some people keep taking advantage of innocent children? It really messes with their future adult lives. I made sure the abuse stopped with me!!!!!

The other interesting article regarded our Circadian rhythm. Mine is completely out of whack -- up all night and can sleep better during the day. Please keep us up-dated on this drug trial!

Take care.........

[LindaM]

Thanks for posting this.
However it doesn't come as any news to me.
I believe that the abuse leads to stress and that stress leads to all kinds of illness.
I have read a lot that many you find with FM and other such illnesses have had a lot of emotional issues in their lifetime.
Linda

[Idealist]

Thanks One More Time...

I would say that this is a no-brainer. Since it's already been shown many times that we retain virtually every substantial memory of our youth, I don't see how abuse could NOT affect emotional and psychological development for the rest of a person's life.

[befuddled2]

I usually go to the BP or Weight Issues forum but since lately I'm fighting depression this forum caught my attention. I was abused by a brother as a child and he still emotionally abuses me. So natually I felt comfortable with my abusive husband at 1st. I said no more abuse to my husband almost a year ago and have been alone ever since. The isolation still and loneliness will make anyone depressed.

befuddled

[jingle]

(((befuddled)))