The Influence of Types of Childhood Trauma on Psychosis in Bipolar I Patients.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Few studies have investigated the influence of childhood trauma (CT) and the different types of abuse on psychosis in bipolar I disorder (BDI). The first aim of this study was to compare control subjects and bipolar I patients on experiencing childhood trauma. The second aim of this study was to determine whether different types of childhood trauma have a different effect on psychosis in bipolar I patients. Method: Bipolar I disorder and psychotic symptoms were assed using the SCID-I and childhood trauma was assed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). A total of 458 patients completed both questionnaires. 83 control subjects completed the CTQ. Results: Results showed that bipolar I patients experienced more childhood trauma than control subjects. Almost half of the bipolar I patients had a history of childhood abuse. The different types of childhood trauma did not have an influence on psychosis in bipolar I patients. Conclusions: Current data suggest that childhood trauma is highly present in bipolar I patients, but that it does not have a direct influence on the development of psychotic symptoms in this group.