Childhood trauma and psychosis - what is the evidence?

TY - JOUR

T1 - Childhood trauma and psychosis - what is the evidence?

AU - Schäfer, Ingo

AU - Fisher, Helen L

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - In the last decade, a substantial number of population-based studies have suggested that childhood trauma is a risk factor for psychosis. In several studies, the effects held after adjusting for a wide range of potentially confounding variables, including genetic liability for psychosis. Less is known about the mechanisms underlying the association between childhood trauma and psychosis. Possible pathways include relationships between negative perceptions of the self, negative affect, and psychotic symptoms, as well as biological mechanisms such as dysregulated cortisol and increased sensitivity to stress. Psychotic patients with a history of childhood trauma tend to present with a variety of additional problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, greater substance abuse, higher levels of depression and anxiety, and more frequent suicide attempts. Initial studies suggest that trauma-specific treatments are as beneficial for these patients as for other diagnostic groups.

AB - In the last decade, a substantial number of population-based studies have suggested that childhood trauma is a risk factor for psychosis. In several studies, the effects held after adjusting for a wide range of potentially confounding variables, including genetic liability for psychosis. Less is known about the mechanisms underlying the association between childhood trauma and psychosis. Possible pathways include relationships between negative perceptions of the self, negative affect, and psychotic symptoms, as well as biological mechanisms such as dysregulated cortisol and increased sensitivity to stress. Psychotic patients with a history of childhood trauma tend to present with a variety of additional problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, greater substance abuse, higher levels of depression and anxiety, and more frequent suicide attempts. Initial studies suggest that trauma-specific treatments are as beneficial for these patients as for other diagnostic groups.

KW - Humans

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Child

KW - Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology

KW - Community Health Planning

KW - Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology

KW - Humans

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Child

KW - Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology

KW - Community Health Planning

KW - Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

VL - 13

SP - 360

EP - 365

JO - DIALOGUES CLIN NEURO

JF - DIALOGUES CLIN NEURO

SN - 1294-8322

IS - 3

M1 - 3

ER -