Scientists believe that treating those in distress with oxytocin, a hormone linked to emotional bonding in childbirth and breastfeeding, could help to stop them withdrawing from the help of their friends and family.
New research has shown that the hormone can increase people’s trust in others following social rejection.
In an experiment, 100 students were given either oxytocin or a placebo via a nasal spray. They were then engaged in a staged conversation in which researchers disagreed with, interrupted and ignored them.
The participants were asked to fill out mood and personality questionnaires, which showed that those who were particularly distressed after being snubbed by the researchers reported feeling greater trust in other people if they had sniffed oxytocin beforehand.
By contrast, the hormone had no effect on those who were not emotionally affected by the social rejection, according to the research, which was published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.
Dr Mark Ellenbogen, from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, who carried out the study, said: "That means that instead of the traditional 'fight or flight' response to social conflict, where people get revved up to respond to a challenge or run away from it, oxytocin may promote the ‘tend and befriend’ response, where people reach out to others for support after a stressful event.
“That can, in turn, strengthen social bonds and may be a healthier way to cope.”
People with depression might benefit in particular from being given oxytocin because they naturally tend to withdraw even though seeking help can aid their recovery.
Co-researcher Christopher Cardoso said: “If someone is feeling very distressed, oxytocin could promote social support seeking, and that may be especially helpful to those individuals.”
Reactions to the hormone appear to depend more on individual differences and contextual factors than most other drugs, so learning more about how it works will help scientists understand how it could be used in future treatment.
Mr Cardoso said: "Previous studies have shown that natural oxytocin is higher in distressed people, but before this study nobody could say with certainty why that was the case.
"In distressed people, oxytocin may improve one's motivation to reach out to others for support. That idea is cause for a certain degree of excitement, both in the research community and for those who suffer from mood disorders."
Oxytocin is the hormone the body releases to trigger labour and which helps in the bonding process with the newborn child. It has also been called the love hormone as it is released at orgasm.
Previous research has found that being given oxytocin causes men with wives or long–term partners to keep a greater distance from an attractive woman but has no effect on bachelors.
Although those in relationships did not judge the woman to be any less attractive, they began to feel uncomfortable more quickly when approached by the woman and asked her to remain further away.
A separate study found that the hormone can make men as sensitive as women.
It is thought that oxytocin could prove valuable in the treatment of autism and other conditions characterised by difficulty in connecting with others and in reading emotions.