The Complex Interplay of Depression and Trauma

Certain psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and atypical depression, exhibit a reduced cortisol response, indicating a distinct neurochemical profile linked to trauma exposure. Atypical depression often presents with mood reactivity, weight gain, hypersomnia, and heightened sensitivity to rejection, along with a hypoactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system and elevated inflammation levels. This suggests a deeper connection between trauma history, such as childhood maltreatment, and variations in depressive states, highlighting the need for careful consideration of these overlaps in mental health diagnoses.