Clinical depression is marked by sustained deep feelings of hopelessness and profound sadness. Many people will say that they feel "depressed" when they are sad; however, depression is not a transient mood of sadness that lifts within days or weeks without treatment. Many people experience depression at some point in their lives. Individuals who are abusers may suffer from depression, both before and after the abusive acts they commit, as may the children who are their victims.

Men and women who were abused as children have an increased risk for both depression and suicide in adulthood compared to non-abused children in later adulthood. They also have an increased risk of abusing their own children, although the majority of adults who are abused as children do not abuse their children.

Depression is often cited as a factor contributing to child maltreatment, including both the abuse and neglect of children. Postpartum depression is another form of depression, and it is a severe and sometimes even psychotic depression that is experienced by some mothers who have recently given birth to a child. Postpartum depression may be hormonally based, although further research is needed. A woman who has had postpartum depression in the past may re-experience the condition if she becomes pregnant again.

The depressed parent often lacks sufficient ego strength to cope with the inevitable stresses of childrearing, and as a result, he or she may impulsively lash out at the child in anger or frustration. The depressed parent may also act apathetically, failing to meet the child's basic needs and, as a result, neglecting the child. Some depressed parents turn to substance abuse. Poor impulse control is sometimes linked to depression. Depressed parents may also suffer from anxiety disorders.

Some people have psychotic depression, in which case they cannot distinguish reality from what they fear or believe. In the worst case, the depressed parent may feel that life is not worth living for himself or herself, as well as for the children. They may attempt and succeed at suicide. In addition, before their own planned suicide attempt, some individuals may choose to murder their children, believing that they are relieving them from the extreme sadness and hopelessness that life would inevitably bring. They also usually believe that others could not care for their children or bring them any happiness.

Abused children also often experience depression, because the individuals whom they have counted upon to provide for them cannot or will not do so. Even infants may suffer from depression when they are severely neglected by their parents or other caretakers.

The depression of child abuse and neglect victims is well documented in many studies. Depression is sometimes attributed to a sense of "learned helplessness" that is acquired by a child or adult who feels trapped in a painful situation and with no apparent hope of escape. The sense of being unable to control one's situation is a pervasive characteristic of those with depression.

Depressed individuals may exhibit a wide variety of symptoms, such as

-           Changes in appetite (overeating or undereating)

-           Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or sleeping too much)

-           Frequent or constant crying

-           Lack of interest in work or hobbies

-           Physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches

-           Talking about suicide (such words should be taken seriously in children and adults)

The depressed person may be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional, as well as by family practitioners or general internists. If medication is needed, it must be prescribed by a physician.

Individuals suffering from depression may be treated with both psychotherapy and medication, which has proven to be the best combination of treatment for most people with depression. The outlook is good for most depressed people, and depression is generally considered very amenable to treatment. Without treatment, however, the outlook is not good. Although some individuals rebound without treatment, most people with depression need professional help.

Depression appears to have both a genetic and environmental component. For example, a depressed parent may have been born into a family with depressed parents and siblings, as well as an environment of abuse and/or neglect. Researchers continue to argue over which factor is more important: heredity or environment. However, most experts agree that both environment and genetics are important, and it is often difficult to impossible to determine which factor is dominant in a given case.

There are no known preventive measures against depression, but the illness can be readily identified by most mental health professionals and treated effectively.

It should also be noted that many people with depression also have other psychiatric diagnoses that should also be treated, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, an eating disorder, an anxiety disorder, parental substance abuse or other serious emotional disorders. Most of these other disorders can be treated with medication and therapy.

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