Childhood Trauma in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Current evidence suggests a high prevalence of childhood trauma (CT) among adult patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Exposure to CT might lead to clinical differences eventually observed in these patients. We present a cross-sectional study with 54 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder). We obtained sociodemographic data, as well as data on CT, dissociation, suicide history, and intensity of positive and negative psychotic symptoms. More than 75% of the patients reported a history of CT. We observed a link between CT and suicidal behavior. Patients showed high rates of dissociation. Dissociative experiences were related to CT, both in terms of intensity of trauma and number of traumas experienced. All CT forms except emotional neglect showed direct correlations with dissociative experiences. We found no correlation between intensity of CT and intensity of positive psychotic symptoms, yet we observed a moderate inverse correlation with negative psychotic symptoms.

"Changes in Adaptive-Compensatory Functions in Patients with Paranoid Schizophrenia with an Affective Pattern of Non-Suicidal Auto- Aggressive Behavior in Conditions of Prolonged Social Isolation"

“…Disorders of adaptive-compensatory functions in patients with paranoid schizophrenia are an integral part of a single pathopsychological process [1][2][3][4][5]. The depletion of personality reserves intensifies when being in conditions of prolonged social isolation, including the penitentiary system and compulsory treatment [6,7].…”