People who have been mistreated as children are twice as likely to develop long and multiple episodes of depression as those without this history, according to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Researchers at King's College London Institute of Psychiatry in England also found that maltreated individuals are more likely to respond poorly to pharmacological and psychological treatment for the disease.

To reach the conclusions, 16 epidemiological studies involving more than 20,000 participants and 10 clinical trials involving more than 3,000 participants.

Research analysis has shown that individuals who have suffered abuse are more likely to show abnormalities in biological systems sensitive to psychological stress - such as brain, endocrine and immune system - both in the Another finding was that treatments typically used to treat the disease - antidepressant medications, psychological treatment, or a combination of the two - are less effective in people with this condition. historical.

Scholars believe that identifying the risks of this type of depression is crucial from a public health perspective. Therefore, prevention and early therapeutic interventions to address childhood maltreatment may be vital in helping to avoid the increased burden on health systems due to depression.

To know that individuals with a history of ill-treatment do not respond as well to the treatment can also be valuable information for physicians in determining the prognosis of patients.

Although biological factors influenced by childhood maltreatment have already been identified, future studies aim to decipher exactly what changes are associated with multiple episodes of depression.

Depression is among the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide, with one in 10 children exposed to maltreatment, including psychological, physical or sexual abuse or neglect.

Tips to combat depression

Encourage good eating habits early in the small ones also helps to avoid depression. Physical activity during childhood, for example, can prevent disease in adulthood, according to surveys by Deakin University in Australia.

The researchers analyzed 1,225 men and women who answered questionnaires about their physical activity levels in the childhood. This activity was related to the tendency of these individuals to depression in adult life. As a result, people who did not practice physical activity when children were 35 percent more likely to suffer from depression as they grew up.

According to the researchers, physical activity may contribute to the development of brain cells during childhood, which would help the adult to cope better with stressful situations. In addition, a person who does not practice many exercises has little social support, which can lead to a greater chance of suffering from depression throughout his life.

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