After Abuse, Changes in the Brain

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/health/research/24abuse.html?ref=science

The article topic looked interesting to me, but I was prepared to be dissappointed. Much of the articles I find in the NY Times science section are overwrought with data and terms, so much so that I feel I need a dictionary to get through it. Still, I think the author did a good job of explaining a seemingly difficult to understand topic. To think that there would be actual scientific evidence to support the widely accepted idea that children who suffer abuse have increased risk for mental illness, depression, and suicide, is mind-boggling to me.
I found his breaking down of the information to be perfect, specifically when Carey said "When people are under stress, the hormone cortisol circulates widely, putting the body on high alert. One way the brain reduces this physical anxiety is to make receptors on brain cells that help clear the cortisol, inhibiting the distress and protecting neurons from extended exposure to the hormone, which can be damaging." I am no fan of science, and still was attracted to this article topic, and so I can imagine much of the people reading this article would be in a similar position. It woudln't be right if science articles were written by scientists, for scientists, with no in between.
My understanding of suicide, mental illness, and depression are greater now that I've read the article, and so I can honestly say I learned something, which doesn't happen with every article I read.
Still, I think the article could have been enhanced significantly if the author included one personal account to accompany the idea, such as someone who experienced abuse as a child and grew up depressed. Then a study could have been done on this specific person, and more examples and data could have been given. That way it would be less general.