Does Adolescent Stress Lead to Mood Disorders in Adulthood?

As depression in young people is increasing in successive generations, we have to wonder what is the cause for this increase? With people suffering earlier in life is stress the problem?

Researcher Mark Ellenbogen is particularly interested in the link between childhood stress and the development of depression.

"Previous studies have shown that kids from at-risk families are at higher risk of having a psychiatric disorder in their lifetime," says Ellenbogen. "We know that they're not just inheriting these traits but they are also being raised in environment that is stressful, chaotic and lacking in structure. Our goal is to tease out how this type of environment influences these children's mental health in adolescence and adulthood."

Ellenbogen's findings have shown that the adolescents of "at-risk" families have higher stress levels than kids from families without disorders, which continues into adulthood.

Ellenbogen says, "We have not yet confirmed that these children then go on to develop mood disorders of their own. However, we have some exciting preliminary data showing that high [stress levels] in adolescence doubles your risk for developing a serious mood disorder in young adulthood."

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Although this study focuses on the home life of children generating stress, if stress in childhood can indeed lead to the increase in mood disorders then perhaps stress through examinations, competition or homework (for some individuals) could also lead to mood disorders later in life?

Clearly, Ellenbogen is planning further study, so once there is evidence that's slightly more concrete, perhaps we will be able to say better the link between childhood stress and mood disorders in adulthood

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