» Articles » PMID: 26763504

The Role of Childhood Trauma in Bipolar Disorders

Overview
Date 2016 Jan 15
PMID 26763504
Citations 75
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

This review will discuss the role of childhood trauma in bipolar disorders. Relevant studies were identified via Medline (PubMed) and PsycINFO databases published up to and including July 2015. This review contributes to a new understanding of the negative consequences of early life stress, as well as setting childhood trauma in a biological context of susceptibility and discussing novel long-term pathophysiological consequences in bipolar disorders. Childhood traumatic events are risk factors for developing bipolar disorders, in addition to a more severe clinical presentation over time (primarily an earlier age at onset and an increased risk of suicide attempt and substance misuse). Childhood trauma leads to alterations of affect regulation, impulse control, and cognitive functioning that might decrease the ability to cope with later stressors. Childhood trauma interacts with several genes belonging to several different biological pathways [Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, serotonergic transmission, neuroplasticity, immunity, calcium signaling, and circadian rhythms] to decrease the age at the onset of the disorder or increase the risk of suicide. Epigenetic factors may also be involved in the neurobiological consequences of childhood trauma in bipolar disorder. Biological sequelae such as chronic inflammation, sleep disturbance, or telomere shortening are potential mediators of the negative effects of childhood trauma in bipolar disorders, in particular with regard to physical health. The main clinical implication is to systematically assess childhood trauma in patients with bipolar disorders, or at least in those with a severe or instable course. The challenge for the next years will be to fill the gap between clinical and fundamental research and routine practice, since recommendations for managing this specific population are lacking. In particular, little is known on which psychotherapies should be provided or which targets therapists should focus on, as well as how childhood trauma could explain the resistance to mood stabilizers.

Citing Articles

Implications of gene × environment interactions in post-traumatic stress disorder risk and treatment.

Seah C, Sidamon-Eristoff A, Huckins L, Brennand K J Clin Invest. 2025; 135(5).

PMID: 40026250 PMC: 11870735. DOI: 10.1172/JCI185102.


Impact of childhood trauma on cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder.

Zhang Z, Zhou C, Mao Z, Sun Y, Zhao L, Li T Front Psychiatry. 2025; 16:1513021.

PMID: 39916744 PMC: 11799288. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1513021.


Childhood trauma in bipolar affective disorder: A case control study.

Sharma M, Chauhan V, Chatterjee K, Prakash J, Srivastava K Ind Psychiatry J. 2024; 33(Suppl 1):S148-S153.

PMID: 39534177 PMC: 11553600. DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_143_23.


The effect of polygenic risk score and childhood adversity on transdiagnostic symptom dimensions at first-episode psychosis: evidence for an affective pathway to psychosis.

Alameda L, Rodriguez V, Di Forti M, Spinazzola E, Trotta G, Arango C Transl Psychiatry. 2024; 14(1):454.

PMID: 39461938 PMC: 11513137. DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03149-7.


MicroRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers for bipolar disorder.

Martinez B, Peplow P Neural Regen Res. 2024; 20(6):1681-1695.

PMID: 39104098 PMC: 11688563. DOI: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01588.


References
1.
Savitz J, van der Merwe L, Stein D, Solms M, Ramesar R . Neuropsychological task performance in bipolar spectrum illness: genetics, alcohol abuse, medication and childhood trauma. Bipolar Disord. 2008; 10(4):479-94. DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2008.00591.x. View

2.
Swendsen J, Hammen C, Heller T, Gitlin M . Correlates of stress reactivity in patients with bipolar disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 1995; 152(5):795-7. DOI: 10.1176/ajp.152.5.795. View

3.
Geoffroy P, Scott J, Boudebesse C, Lajnef M, Henry C, Leboyer M . Sleep in patients with remitted bipolar disorders: a meta-analysis of actigraphy studies. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2014; 131(2):89-99. DOI: 10.1111/acps.12367. View

4.
Henry C, Van den Bulke D, Bellivier F, Roy I, Swendsen J, MBailara K . Affective lability and affect intensity as core dimensions of bipolar disorders during euthymic period. Psychiatry Res. 2008; 159(1-2):1-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2005.11.016. View

5.
Gallagher M, Chiba A . The amygdala and emotion. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 1996; 6(2):221-7. DOI: 10.1016/s0959-4388(96)80076-6. View