Generally speaking, depression is an overall feeling of sadness. More specifically, those with depression tend to experience several things such as: an increase or decrease in weight, troubles with concentration, feelings of meaninglessness or worthlessness, thoughts of death or suicide, and so on. 

Depression

When an individual has significant difficulty in forming healthy emotional relationships, often following abuse. Individual might struggle with affect regulation, engage in aggressive/disruptive behavior, be socially withdrawn, and have an aversion to touch/physical affection. 

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

A disorder that results from experiencing or witnessing something that makes one feel afraid, terrified, or powerless and makes them think that their life, bodily integrity, or safety are in danger. It manifests as painful and intrusive memories of the stressful event, jitteriness, ongoing negative emotional states, social distancing, violent outbursts, and avoiding reminders of the incident.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

- Depression
- PTSD
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Boston University

Abuse is when an individual intentionally torments another individual either physically or emotionally. This can make one more vulnerable to depression later on. 

Abuse

Buckingham, E. T., & Daniolos, P. (2013). Longitudinal Outcomes for Victims of Child Abuse. Current Psychiatry Reports, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-012-0342-3

Longitudinal Outcomes for Victims of Child Abuse

Behavioural consequences of child abuse. (2013). Canadian Family Physician, 59, 831–836.

Behavioural consequences of child abuse

Interpersonal trauma is a type of trauma that occurs in one’s relationships with other individuals. Events that can cause interpersonal trauma include physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, loss of a loved one, etc. 

Interpersonal Trauma

- Physical 
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Psychological/Mental
- Financial/Economic
- Cultural/Identity

Types of Abuse

In infancy, damage includes mental retardation, hearing difficulties, visual problems, learning disabilities, and cognitive dysfunction. Exposure to abuse at any point in life, however, negatively correlates with gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, amygdala, sensory association cortices and cerebellum.

Effects of Abuse on Brain Structure

- Toddler Age 
- Preschool Age
- Primary School Age
- Adolescence

Abuse Effects on Behavioral Development

Common Mental Disorders Following Abuse

- Psychotherapy
- Play therapy
- Psychotropic medications

Combination psychotherapy and psycho-pharmacotherapy is the most effective treatment strategy.

Treatment Options for Abuse Victims

During childhood, individual is exposed to neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that leaves them vulnerable to developmental problems into adulthood

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