Introduction:

childhood sexual abuse is defined as a traumatic experience that can lead the victim to suffer mental, sexual, physical, interpersonal and behavioral complications harmful to health. It is also a risk factor for major depressive disorder in women. With this case, the authors aim to share experiences to the diagnosis; treatment and prevention of these health problems by disseminating them to the medical community.

Case report:

a 17-year-old female patient who was sexually abused at the age of 7 years. The patient is admitted on a first occasion on March 5, 2018 for suicide attempt and depressive disorder upon contact with the person who performed the act. After 17 days, the patient was admitted again for major depressive disorder and was discharged 9 days later due to good evolution. On August 7, she was admitted for a third time for major depressive disorder and another suicide attempt. The patient was treated with Imipramine 25 mg twice a day and psychotherapeutic treatment, responding satisfactorily. The patient is psychologically stable at present.

Conclusions:

sexual abuse in childhood constitutes a risk factor triggering major depressive disorder. Special attention through support and psychological studies of the patients and treatment with antidepressant drugs is of vital importance for the recovery of victims subjected to sexual harassment with suicidal ideation and attempt.

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