Adult Depression and Childhood Abuse
September 10th, 2009 |
By Roni Weisberg-Ross L.M.F.T.
Over the years I’ve discovered that a significant proportion of adult clients who present with depression have a history of childhood abuse. The abuse may have been sexual, physical and/or emotional. At first I attributed this to the fact that I specialize in abuse and many clients who come to me saying they are depressed are using that as a presenting issue because they aren’t ready to discuss the abuse. But what I now understand is that not only do most adult survivors of childhood abuse suffer from some form of clinical depression, but that most adults with prolonged depression have suffered some form of childhood abuse. An article in Psychology Today published in 2003 stated that, “In almost every case of significant adult depression, some form of abuse was experienced in childhood, either physical, sexual, emotional or, often, a combination.”
Depression runs in families. So does abuse. “Studies show that one in four girls and one in eight boys are sexually abused before the age of 18, and one in twenty children are physically abused each year.” But sexual and emotional abuse, in particular, is woefully under reported. Most abused children grow up in an atmosphere of denial – denial by the adults around them and, for the most part, denial within themselves as a means of survival. Ultimately it is the secrecy around the abuse that helps to foster the depression. Additionally, neurobiology has expanded our understanding of how emotions affect brain chemistry. Traumatic events – such as any form of childhood abuse (sexual, emotional, physical) or neglect, changes the chemistry of the brain. These events can reshape wiring patterns and reset responses to them so that even a small degree of stress can produce an overabundance of stress hormones that in turn create anxiety and depression.
Depression has been recognized as both a chemical imbalance in the brain and a turning of more aggressive feelings – i.e. anger – inward. Self-criticism is anger turned inwards. In a recent study by Florida State University researchers, people who were verbally abused as children grew up to be self-critical adults prone to depression. Verbal abuse includes insults, swearing, threats of physical abuse and spiteful comments or behavior.“ Over time, children believe the negative things they hear, and they begin to use those negative statements as explanations for anything that goes wrong.” And while neither sexual nor physical abuse necessarily supply the critical words, the non-verbal communication of these actions say that the child is worthless. In fact, the non-verbal communication of these acts is even more powerful than the spoken words, but that in no way diminishes the fact that verbal abuse creates lasting damage as well.
As clinicians, it is our job to help the depressed client recognize the abuse; recognize the effect it has had on them and help them find an avenue back to self-love through understanding.
©Copyright 2009 by Roni Weisberg-Ross L.M.F.T. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org. The following article was solely written and edited by the author named above. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the following article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment to this blog entry. Click here to contact Roni and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile
8 comments so far
What study are you referring to there Roni when you say that “Studies show that one in four girls and one in eight boys are sexually abused before the age of 18, and one in twenty children are physically abused each year.” Please cite your source. “Studies show” can mean anything.
That shows the old saying, stick and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me, is a lie. I always knew it was. Thanks Roni.
I was quoting Beverly Ogilvie’s book: “Mother Daughter Incest: A guide for Helping Professionals”. I didn’t use footnotes because this was originally a blog on my website, not a formal presentation. Please let me know if there is anything else I can clarify for you.
Please note that the first paragraph of this article was not fully printed. The last sentence of the paragraph should continue after the words “clinical depression,” with the following: but that most adults with prolonged depression have suffered some form of childhood abuse. An article in Psychology Today published in 2003 stated that, “In almost every case of significant adult depression, some form of abuse was experienced in childhood, either physical, sexual, emotional or, often, a combination.”
I have read in many places that persons who have experienced trauma as children undergo depression for a prolonged period of time, sometimes extending into their adulthood as well. This is a very sad fact, and we should try to understand their problems and help them get out of their depression that may eventually cost them dear.
When you experience abuse as a child you do develop self hatred and when you live with that for so many years, yeah, I am sure that does get disheartening and can cause you to go into a state of clinical depression. You have grown up thinking all of the most terrible things about yourself and finally the psyche can take no more of the abuse that you have been piling upon yourself.
People are emotionally weak. Easily shake by trials and consequences in life. There are people who are professionally trained to talk to people who are in pain. They will really help lighten and ease the burden for you.
It would take one heck of a resilient person to not let what happened in childhood follow them into life as an adult.