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The British Journal of Psychiatry (2003) 182: 543-547
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

PRELIMINARY REPORT

Childhood trauma and hallucinations in bipolar affective disorder: preliminary investigation

PAUL HAMMERSLEY, MSc, RMN

Department of Psychology, University of Manchester

ANTON DIAS, DipSocialWork

South Staffs Mentally Disordered Offenders Team, St George's Hospital, Stafford

GILLIAN TODD, BA

Barton House Clinic, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge

KIM BOWEN-JONES, DClinPsychol

Trengweth Mental Health Unit, Redruth

BERNADETTE REILLY, RMN

Department of Psychological Medicine, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow

RICHARD P. BENTALL, PhD, FBPsS

Department of Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

Correspondence: Paul Hammersley, Department of Psychology, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. E-mail: Paul{at}hammersley7616.freeserve.co.uk

Declaration of interest None.

Background Strong evidence exists for an association between childhood trauma, particularly childhood sexual abuse, and hallucinations in schizophrenia. Hallucinations are also well-documented symptoms in people with bipolar affective disorder.

Aims To investigate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and other childhood traumas and hallucinations in people with bipolar affective disorder.

Method A sample of 96 participants was drawn from the Medical Research Council multi-centre trial of cognitive–behavioural therapy for bipolar affective disorder. The trial therapists recorded spontaneous reports of childhood sexual abuse made during the course of therapy. Symptom data were collected by trained research assistants masked to the hypothesis.

Results A significant association was found between those reporting general trauma (n=38) and auditory hallucinations. A highly significant association was found between those reporting childhood sexual abuse (n=15) and auditory hallucinations.

Conclusions The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and hallucinations in bipolar disorder warrants further investigation.

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Highlights of this issue

ELIZABETH WALSH
BJP 2003 182: 465-a23. [Full Text]  

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