Trauma-Induced Depression: When Emotional Pain Becomes Persistent
When we think about what to expect following a traumatic experience, our minds often go to anxiety. Or perhaps we envision flashbacks and think about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, trauma can also lead to depression, often referred to as “trauma-induced depression” – something that can develop following one or more traumatic experiences.
To help you better understand how depression after trauma can happen and how to recover, this page will explore:
- What trauma is and what causes it.
- What trauma-induced depression is.
- Symptoms of trauma-induced depression.
- Recovering from depression after trauma.
- Where to find professional support.
Defining Trauma
Before we get to what trauma-induced depression is, let’s zoom out for a moment and define what trauma actually is.
According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event such as an accident, assault, natural disaster, or other experience that threatens a person’s safety or well-being.[1]
That said, we can safely say there is no singular “normal” response to trauma. We know based on research that trauma is highly personal. An experience that feels very traumatic for one person may not affect another person in the same way, or at all. Individual differences are all shown to influence how someone responds, including:[2][3]
- Age.
- Previous experiences.
- Genetics.
- Previous mental health.
- Social support.
- Resilience.
Causes of Trauma
In light of understanding how trauma can affect people uniquely, we also know that trauma can look very different at its root. For starters, trauma could result from a single event, such as a car accident or assault.
However, it could also form as a result of repeated experiences like childhood abuse, domestic violence, or simply living in an environment where someone feels consistently unsafe. The latter is known as complex PTSD or C-PTSD.
Some of the most common causes of trauma include:
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
- Domestic violence or coercive control.
- Serious accidents or injuries.
- Medical trauma, including life-threatening illness or invasive medical procedures.
- The sudden loss of a loved one or traumatic bereavement.
- Childhood neglect or growing up in an unpredictable or unsafe home.
- Bullying, harassment, or ongoing discrimination.
- Military combat or exposure to war and conflict.
- Natural disasters, terrorism, or community violence.
- Witnessing a traumatic event happening to someone else or repeatedly being exposed to traumatic experiences through work, such as in emergency services or healthcare.
What Is Trauma-Induced Depression?
Trauma-induced depression is depression that develops following a traumatic experience. After we experience a traumatic event, or a series of them, our brain chemistry can alter. This means that we can find it harder to regulate our mood, and, as a result, experience profound sadness, worthlessness, and a loss of interest in things we enjoyed prior to the trauma.
The WHO estimates that approximately 280 million people worldwide live with depression, a statistic that includes depression from all causes, not just trauma.[4] But how many of these cases have a link to, or are caused by, trauma? We don’t have an exact number, but below we’ll see that research commonly identifies trauma as one of the strongest risk factors for depression.
Studies say 30–60% of people with depression have a history of trauma or adverse life events, but the percentage depends on how trauma is defined.[5] Further illustrating the link between trauma and depression, a 2019 analysis found 24% of young people exposed to trauma met the criteria for depression.[6]
Other studies of large populations came to similar conclusions. One of the most influential was the National Comorbidity Survey. 5,877 adults from across the United States were surveyed, and it found that people with traumatic events in their past were significantly more likely to develop major depressive disorder than those who did not have any trauma in the past.[7]
The link between depression and trauma was particularly strong following interpersonal trauma, such as physical assault and sexual violence. The study concluded that exposure to trauma is one of the strongest environmental risk factors for developing depression.[7]
Symptoms of Trauma-Induced Depression
While everyone’s experience is unique, trauma-induced depression symptoms typically show up in ways that affect how you think, feel, behave, and experience the world around you.
Symptoms of trauma-induced depression can include:
- Ongoing sadness or low mood.
- Losing interest in the hobbies you used to enjoy.
- A feeling of being emotionally “numb.”
- Changes in appetite and/or weight.
- Sleeping much more or much less than usual.
- Low energy/fatigue.
- Finding it hard to concentrate or make decisions.
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness.
- Withdrawal from social life and social settings.
- Hopelessness and, in severe cases, thoughts of death or suicide.
Additionally, research shows how depression following trauma is often accompanied by particularly high levels of shame, self-blame, and emotional numbness. And a review in 2012 found that trauma from childhood maltreatment was not only associated with the development of depression but also with long-term illness and poorer treatment outcomes.[3]
Similarly, research studying people with childhood adversity found trauma-related depression had earlier onset. They also had greater symptom severity, increased recurrence, and higher rates of co-occurring anxiety disorders than those with depression that did not have a trauma history.[5]
This research points to the idea that trauma-induced depression is often more complex than depression alone and may require trauma-informed treatment approaches.
Mission Connection is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Gender Differences in Trauma-Induced Depression
In the same way that trauma, or the same traumatic event, does not affect everyone equally, neither does depression. Research suggests that biological, psychological, and social factors all influence how symptoms develop and are expressed. Below, we cover how trauma-induced depression can manifest in men and women.
Women and Trauma-Induced Depression
It turns out women are more likely to experience trauma-related depression following difficult childhood experiences. A recent study looked at adults across multiple countries and found childhood abuse predicted worsening depressive symptoms over time, and this relationship was significantly stronger in women than in men.[8]
The differences in stress physiology, social roles, and coping styles all contributed to this increased vulnerability. Women were also more likely to experience internalized symptoms such as:[8]
- Persistent sadness.
- Guilt.
- Anxiety.
- Rumination.
In addition to this information, women may be more at risk of suicide attempts due to trauma-induced depression than men.[9]
Men and Trauma-Induced Depression
By contrast, men may be less likely than women to talk about or describe their feelings of depression. Instead, they may be more likely to express distress through:
- Irritation.
- Emotional withdrawal.
- Substance misuse.
- Risk-taking behaviors.
Further, there may also be gender differences in psychological outcomes of trauma-induced depression, as men could be more likely to report physical health problems and anhedonia.[9]
Based on this information, trauma can produce different psychological profiles across men and women, highlighting that depression does not always look the same.[9] Many people – particularly men – might not recognize their symptoms as depression, and as a result might delay seeking help.
Can Trauma-Induced Depression Affect Children?
Yes, children can experience trauma-induced depression. That said, depression after trauma often manifests in a very different way in children than that in adults. Children are still developing emotionally and cognitively and, because of this, may find it hard to explain how they feel.
Instead of appearing sad, they may become irritable, unusually clingy, withdrawn, anxious, or lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed. Some children may also experience frequent stomach aches or headaches, while others might:
- Develop behavioral difficulties.
- Find it hard to cope at school.
- Regress to earlier developmental behaviors.
A study of 167 treatment-seeking children aged 3 to 18 years who had experienced complex trauma found that girls generally showed higher levels of depression, dissociation, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. At the same time, boys were more likely to display behavioral and externalized difficulties. These findings suggest that childhood trauma may manifest through different emotional and behavioral patterns depending on both age and gender.[10]
Similarly, a nationwide Danish cohort study involving approximately 679,000 children found that trauma exposure during childhood was associated with significant disruptions in:[11]
- Emotional well-being.
- Relationships.
- School functioning.
- Mental health.
These findings reinforce the importance of recognizing trauma-related difficulties early in life. However, the encouraging news is that children are remarkably resilient. When trauma is recognized early, and children receive safe, supportive, evidence-based care, many recover well and go on to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Recovering from Depression After Trauma
What is also encouraging is that time and time again, we witness people of all ages who have experienced all kinds of trauma recover from trauma-induced depression. So we want to remind you that recovery is possible, and even though trauma can have a profound impact on mental health, the right support can change your life.
The following are some evidence-based forms of therapy that can be successfully used to treat trauma-informed depression. A mental health professional can talk you through the right approach for your symptoms and needs.
Trauma-focused Therapy
Trauma-focused therapy provides a supportive space for people to heal from trauma-induced depression. It can help by enhancing their mental health through:
- Teaching effective coping strategies.
- Improving communication skills.
- Empowering them for personal growth.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for trauma-induced depression is a practical form of therapy that works to change unhelpful thoughts, behaviors, or beliefs that are contributing to depression. CBT can help you recognize, challenge, and replace negative thoughts and behaviors with healthier ones. This kind of therapy focuses on the present, rather than the past, and arms you with a set of skills to practice at home, long after the therapy session is over.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help relieve trauma and its associated conditions by asking the person to recall the painful memory and tapping into the different areas of the brain through bilateral stimulation. It’s not as talk-focused as the other forms of therapy listed, which can help prevent retraumatization. Plus, it’s evidence-based, meaning it’s proven to work.
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Get Treatment for Trauma-Induced Depression With Mission Connection
Trauma-induced depression can be profound and can also commonly occur alongside conditions like PTSD and anxiety. If depression after trauma is affecting your ability to live a full life, know that you don’t have to manage it alone.
At Mission Connection, we offer personalized outpatient treatment tailored to your unique needs. Our expert clinical team provides medication management in conjunction with a range of other evidence-based mental health treatment approaches.
In addition to standard outpatient care at our locations in California, Virginia, and Washington, we also offer more intensive levels of care, such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP). We treat a variety of mental health conditions and are in-network with most major insurance providers.
To find out more about our in-person, virtual telehealth, or hybrid program that combines in-person and virtual care, call us at 866-833-1822. You can also get started online.
