Childhood Maltreatment Predicts BD Outcomes

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• BD stands for 'bipolar disorder'
  • Mental illness, severe high and low moods changes
• PTSD stands for 'post-traumatic stress disorder'
  • Mental illness, triggered by a terrifying event
• Research suggests maltreatment can affect neurobiological processes associated with progression of BD
• History of childhood maltreatment was found to cause:
  • More severe manic, depressive and psychotic symptoms
  • Higher risk of PTSD
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Substance and alcohol misuse disorders
  • Higher risk of suicide attempt
  • Earlier onset of BD symptoms
  • Increased frequency of manic and depressive episodes
• Significance: early indicator of poorer outcomes among BD individuals
• Published in The Lancet Psychiatry