Childhood maltreatment (CM), also known as early life stress or childhood trauma, is a major risk factor for the onset
of mental illnesses, including Major Depressive Disorder. The purpose of the research was to determine how common CM
was among people who had been diagnosed with a depressive condition and to analyse the cumulative impact of several
forms of CM that often occurred together. The study compared 150 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder to 150
age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The purpose of the SCIDI was to confirm a diagnosis of depression and rule out other
possible mental health problems. Depressive symptoms were also evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory. Prevalence
of childhood abuse was measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The findings showed that more than
80% of those diagnosed with depression also had CM. The strongest link was found between emotional maltreatment and
both an earlier start and greater severity of major depressive disorder. More impairment is shown when many CMT kinds are
present at once. Ultimately, this study adds to our knowledge of CM and its severe link to depression. There is a strong
correlation between childhood maltreatment and adult depression, with more than 88% of depressed people seeking treatment
for their condition reporting some kind of abuse |
