If I Am Being Abused In A Current Relationship (Physically, Sexually, Emotionally, Etc.), Am I At Risk Of Developing Clinical Depression?

— -- Question: If I am being abused in a current relationship (physically, sexually, emotionally, etc.), am I at risk of developing clinical depression?

Answer: Stress is a major precipitant of depressive episodes in individuals who are genetically vulnerable to depression. And one of the major stressors is in fact physical or sexual abuse. Other stressors are also important, but there's little doubt that domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse is a major precipitant for depressive episodes. So anyone who is a victim of such untoward behavior is in fact at increased risk for depression.

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