Queensland: Research showing that patients with early psychosis report high rates of
childhood trauma has important implications for clinicians, a
University of Queensland psychologist has found. Psychologist Mr Michael Duhig said more than three-quarters of early
psychosis patients reported exposure to childhood trauma, including one
or a combination of emotional, physical or sexual abuse or physical
neglect.
“Those people with early psychosis who experienced trauma during
childhood faced higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress,” Mr
Duhig said.
“Women who were subjected to emotional and sexual abuse during
childhood were also found to have an increased risk of developing
psychosis in adulthood.
“Interestingly, exposure to childhood trauma was found to have no
impact on an individual’s day-to-day functioning at work or socially.
“This may be due to appropriate support being provided to individuals from outpatient services.”
Mr Duhig said he and his team gathered data from 106 outpatients who
attended four early-psychosis services in South-East Queensland.
“These findings highlight the need for practitioners to inquire into
any exposure to childhood trauma during clinical assessments of patients
with early psychosis,” he said.
“Treating psychological distress needs to be a priority for clinicians, rather than managing only psychotic symptoms.
“Mental health clinicians need to consider the life experiences of
people who have psychosis so as to ensure the treatment provided is
holistic and provides the best chance of full recovery.
“This may require trauma-informed care in those people with psychosis who have been abused during childhood.”
Mr Duhig’s findings are published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.