Schizophrenia and Childhood Adversity (original) (raw)
Publication: American Journal of Psychiatry
To the Editor: In his editorial, published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal, John H. Gilmore, M.D. (1), argues for a developmental perspective in relation to schizophrenia. However, it is perhaps no longer accurate to argue that "most studies have focused on pre- and perinatal environmental risk factors" (1, pp. 8, 9). Recently, researchers have found a range of adverse events in childhood to be significant risk factors for developing psychotic symptoms and/or being diagnosed with schizophrenia, even after controlling for family history of psychosis or schizophrenia in some cases. These adverse events include early loss of a parent; parental poverty; bullying; witnessing parental violence; emotional, sexual, or physical abuse; physical or emotional neglect; and insecure attachment (2, 3).
These findings support the editorial's call for "a new concentration of efforts on childhood brain development" (1, p. 9). The Traumagenic Neurodevelopmental model (4) is based on findings that differences in the brains of many adults diagnosed with schizophrenia are also found in children who have been severely traumatized, especially in the first years of life. These include overactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin abnormalities; hippocampal damage; cerebral atrophy; ventricular enlargement; and reversed cerebral asymmetry. Thus, the heightened sensitivity to stress evidenced by dysregulation of the brain's stress regulation mechanisms is not necessarily inherited. It can be caused by childhood trauma.
Gene-environment interactions will be best understood in terms of new knowledge about how epigenetic processes turn gene transcription on and off through mechanisms that are highly influenced by socioenvironmental experiences (3). It will be important to integrate these epigenetic processes, especially those involving the stress regulating functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, with research about the psychological mechanisms (cognitive distortions, attachment, dissociation, etc.) by which specific types of childhood trauma can lead to specific types of psychotic experiences (2, 3).
While it can be tempting to ignore childhood adversity, out of fear of being accused of family-blaming, many childhood adversities occur outside the family and those that occur within families tend to be intergenerational and are therefore areas in which many families need assistance. Indeed, we were pleased to see the implications for prevention mentioned in the editorial. We also feel that it is important to note that one environmental enrichment program for children ages 3 to 5 years reduced schizotypal personality scores in adulthood (5).
References
Gilmore J: Understanding what causes schizophrenia: a developmental perspective. Am J Psychiatry 2010; 167:8–10
Read J, van Os J, Morrison A, Ross C: Childhood trauma, psychosis and schizophrenia: a literature review with theoretical and clinical implications. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2005; 112:330–350
Read J, Bentall R, Fosse R: Time to abandon the bio-bio-bio model of psychosis: exploring the epigenetic and psychological mechanisms by which adverse life events lead to psychotic symptoms. Epidemiol Psichiatr Soc 2009; 18:299–310
Read J, Perry B, Moskowitz A, Connolly J: The contribution of early traumatic events to schizophrenia in some patients: a traumagenic neurodevelopmental model. Psychiatry 2001; 64:319–345
Raine A, Mellingen K, Liu J, Venables P, Mednick S: Effects of environmental enrichment at ages 3–5 years on schizotypal personality and antisocial behavior at ages 17 and 23 years. Am J Psychiatry 2003; 160:1627–1635
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
American Journal of Psychiatry
History
Accepted: March 2010
Published online: 1 June 2010
Published in print: June 2010
Authors
Details
Competing Interests
The authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests.
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Export Citations
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.
View Options
View options
PDF/EPUB
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).
Figures
Tables
Media
Go to
Go to
Show all references
Request permissionsExpand All
Collapse
Expand Table
×
As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.