Childhood emotional trauma and chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in adult outpatients with treatment-resistant depression

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2000 Sep;188(9):596-601. doi: 10.1097/00005053-200009000-00006.

Abstract

The intent of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients with treatment-resistant depression are more likely than treatment responsive patients to suffer from sequelae of childhood trauma that may perpetuate depression despite adequate medication treatment. Twenty participants with treatment-resistant depression and 20 participants with treatment-responsive depression were administered a structured interview and a battery of psychological tests to assess levels of current depression, confirm diagnosis, and quantify childhood trauma and presence of dissociative phenomena. Tests used include the Beck Depression Inventory, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Trauma Symptom Inventory. Compared with treatment responders, the treatment-resistant participants were significantly more depressed, had significantly more comorbid anxiety disorders, reported significantly greater levels of childhood emotional abuse, and experienced current-day sequelae of childhood emotional abuse. The hypothesis was partially supported by these results. This study suggests that reported history of childhood emotional abuse and sequelae of that abuse may be associated with treatment resistance in depressed outpatients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Ambulatory Care*
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / diagnosis
  • Child Abuse / psychology
  • Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / diagnosis
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dissociative Disorders / diagnosis
  • Dissociative Disorders / epidemiology
  • Dissociative Disorders / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MMPI / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents