Childhood Sexual Abuse as a Risk Factor for Schizophrenia in Adulthood

Research studies have indicated being abused as a child put you at a higher risk of developing several mental illnesses, such as depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, anxiety, and Borderline Personality Disorder. A recent study indicates being sexually abused as a child is also a risk factor for developing schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder in adulthood.

Margaret C. Cutajar at the University of Monash in Victoria, Australia and her colleagues examined whether being sexually abused as a child puts one at higher risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders later in life. The researchers examined medical examination and police reports of sexual abuse and the statewide register of psychiatric cases, according to Psych Central. The rates of psychiatric disorders in 4,938 individuals, who acted as a control/comparison group, were compared to rates of psychiatric disorders among 2,759 people who had been sexually abused before the age of sixteen. The comparison group was selected from electoral records.

The average age of sexual abuse among individuals who had been abused as children was 10.2 years old. Additionally, 1,732 (63%) of these individuals had experienced penetration by a finger, penis, or object.

The researchers found over the span of 30 years, individuals who had been sexually abused as children had significantly higher rates of psychotic disorders. Specifically, 1.9% of individuals who had been sexually abused developed schizophrenia compared to 0.7% of those in the comparison group. In addition, the researchers found that 2.8% of those who had been abused developed psychotic disorders compared to 1.4% of the control group.

The researchers also discovered that individuals who had experienced penetration during sexual abuse experienced higher rates of schizophrenia (2.4%) and psychosis (3.4%). The authors assert, "The risks of subsequently developing a schizophrenic syndrome were greatest in victims subjected to penetrative abuse in the peripubertal and postpubertal years from 12 to 16 years and among those abused by more than one perpetrator."

Given the results of this study, the researchers suggest that treatment, "in our opinion should focus on improving their current functioning and adaptation to the demands of the transition from adolescence to adult roles rather than primarily on the abuse experience itself."

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder in which psychotic symptoms occur. More specifically, individuals suffering from Schizophrenia may experience catatonic or very disorganized behavior or disorganized or incoherent speech. Hallucinations, hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not actually present in the environment, is another symptom of this condition. Individuals with schizophrenia may also experience delusions, which are false beliefs that the affected individual believe are true. For instance, an individual might have the delusion that aliens are taking over the world.

Individuals suffering from schizophrenia may also present with negative symptoms. One negative symptom a person might experience is flat affect, which is an inability to express or feel emotions. For instance, a person with flat affect may seem very apathetic, speak in a monotonous tone of voice, and/or exhibit very few facial expressions, according to Medicine Net. Individuals with psychotic disorders may not possess the motivation or initiative to get things done, such as housework, duties on the job, school work, or taking care of oneself. This lack of initiative and motivation is known as avolition. Finally, alogia or speaking very little, is sometimes seen in individuals suffering with schizophrenia, according to About.

One must experience at least two of the symptoms described above for a significant amount of time during a one-month period in order to receive a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. Other psychotic disorders, such as Schizoaffective Disorder and Mood Disorders with Psychotic symptoms also must be ruled out before an individual will receive a diagnosis of Schizophrenia by a psychiatrist.

If you would like to read more about this study, you may check out the Archives of General Psychiatry. The study was published in the November issue.

Sources:

Psych Central: Sexually Abused Children at Risk for Adult Psychosis:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/11/04/sexually-abused-children-at-risk-for-adult-psychosis/20535.html

Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders: Delusions:
http://www.minddisorders.com/Br-Del/Delusions.html

Medicine Net: Definition of Flat Affect:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=26293

About: Avolition:
http://bipolar.about.com/od/glossary/g/gl_avolition.htm

About: Alogia:
http://bipolar.about.com/od/glossary/g/gl_alogia.htm

Behave Net Clinical Capsule: DSM-IV & DSM-IV-TR: Schizophrenia:
http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/schiz.htm