On the basis of a comprehensive analysis of pooled data from 26 studies which included information about nearly 26,000 people, researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) at King's College London have found that the risk of developing multiple, recurrent episodes of depression increased two times in adults who had a history of abuse or maltreatment during childhood.

The researchers found that almost one in 20 people in the UK is at risk of recurrent, long-lasting episodes of depression due to childhood abuse, which was gauged on account of five indicators: rejecting interaction from the mother; harsh discipline reported by a parent; unsteady primary caregiver arrangement throughout childhood years; self-reports of harsh physical maltreatment; and sexual abuse.

Along with noting that persistent depression risk ‘doubles’ in abused children, the researchers also found that these depression patients show a much lesser response to psychological or drug-based treatments.

According to lead researcher Andrea Danese - a clinical lecturer in child and adolescent psychiatry at the IoP -, it has been observed that “childhood maltreatment predicts recurrence, the persistence of the episodes and response to treatment” in depression patients.

With the research underscoring that childhood trauma can be extremely hurtful later in life too, Marjorie Wallace – CEO of the mental health charity Sane - said: “It may seem obvious that traumatic events in our lives can make us depressed, but this study highlights how particularly damaging such traumas can be when experienced during childhood, when our brains are still developing.”