By Nikhil, Journals Correspondent
Feb 10, 2005, 17:51

Severe childhood trauma appears to have occurred in about half of people with bipolar disorder, according to a new study from the USA published in the February 2005 issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry.

Childhood abuse has been associated with many different types of adult psychiatric disorder, including suicidality, substance misuse and dependence, and psychosis. This study set out to examine the prevalence and types of childhood abuse reported by adult patients with bipolar disorder, and to relate them to the complexity of the current illness.

100 patients were studied at an academic specialty centre for the treatment of bipolar disorder in New York. Histories of severe childhood abuse were identified in about half of the sample and were associated with onset of illness at an early age, as well as with more severe manic symptoms, compared with patients without a history of abuse.

Severe emotional abuse or neglect was significantly associated with substance misuse or dependence. Rapid cycling between manic and depressive mood in the last year was significantly linked to severe emotional abuse or neglect, or physical abuse.

There was also a significant association between a lifetime suicide attempt and severe childhood sexual abuse (though not emotional or physical abuse).

Multiple forms of abuse in childhood - which occurred in about a third of the people studied - showed a graded increase in risk for both suicide attempts and rapid recycling between manic and depressive mood in adulthood.

The prevalence of severe childhood abuse found in around half of the sample is consistent with the findings of previous studies, and is only slightly higher than that found among patients with major depression.

Also consistent with the findings of this study are reports suggesting that multiple forms of child maltreatment often occur together, and may contribute additively or synergistically to psychiatric disorders and suicidality seen in adulthood.

The authors of the study comment that in the light of the high prevalence of childhood abuse in their sample, coupled with its influence on suicide risk, it would seem prudent for clinicians routinely to evaluate histories of childhood trauma in patients with bipolar disorder.

Consideration of the nature and extent of abuse in childhood may also bear directly on suicide risk assessment among these patients.

Further prospective studies are needed to confirm and extend the findings of this study.

http://www.rxpgnews.com/article_335.shtml

I have long suspect a link between childhood abuse experience and many types of mental disorders. What is interesting about this is that Bipolar Disorder is seen as highly heritable. However, in twin studies (of adopted twins reared in separate families) it is not absolute that if one twin has the disorder then the other will. The only logical conclusion from this is that there must be one or more environmental triggers.

Andi, I appreciate you for keeping us informed.

I am bi-polar and have link to childhood sexual abuse as well as other problems.

Yeah the abuse I have dealt with in my life has made my bipolar harder to deal with especially with the suicidal thougths and violence towards myself....and the PTSD that I also have just add more gas to that fire

I just made a seperate post in this section outlining all of may issues. I have PSTD also, as well as COD and ADHD.

I don't know if I would say that I want to kill myself, but I do feel that I should not be living, I am just scared to take my own life, but if I did something out of my control to take my life then that would be ok.

I really had thought mentally I have gotten over the child hood abuse, but there are whip lash issues, like a stronger sex drive then most people. And very very low self esteem. Makes me into a leech as I have recently been told, very needy in my personal relationships, that it has always been hard keeping long term relationships in the past.

Yeah one thing i have noticed saying and thinking you want to die is a heck of a lot different than the actual act...even though I have tried in the past...I would not actually do it again....heck it been a long time I dont even think about it much...I see suicide cause of the abuse gives the abusers the upper hand.

I don't really want to die, I just want to be important to someone, loved and wanted, to be inclusive part to someone else's life. Support understanding... I try but it is hard.

My failure at relationships I blame on the sexual abuse, my warped prospective on what I think love is, that I have to have sex to feel loved. It is really messed up, and it is going to be my undoing.

http://www.wiit.com/

Hay I just found this web site, that talks about another diagnosis for women who have been sexually abused, thought you might like to check it out.

I don't really want to die, I just want to be important to someone, loved and wanted, to be inclusive part to someone else's life. Support understanding... I try but it is hard.

My failure at relationships I blame on the sexual abuse, my warped prospective on what I think love is, that I have to have sex to feel loved. It is really messed up, and it is going to be my undoing.

Believe me I can totally relate to that.....Been there myself and my abuse as a kid messed me up for a long time and heh I still have my issues w/ relationships simular to yours.

I was just reading the borderline personality section and I know 100% that is me, I am attached to my spouse (ex) and constantly testing the waters. Never feel worthy, or that he is interested in me. It is just so hard - but strange to see someone has a disorder for how I feel.

I think it can also be a sign of Codependancy me thinks