Le psychotraumatisme chez l’enfant et l’adolescent est-il un facteur de risque d’émergence d’un trouble psychotique ? Une revue de la littérature

Abstract

ObjectiveThis literature review aims to explore childhood and adolescent trauma as a risk factor for the emergence of psychotic disorders. MethodsThis literature review is based on PubMed and Google Scholar with studies selected after 1994 in order to use DSM-IV or DSM-5 criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A total of 33 studies with a robust level of evidence were included in the current research, mainly prospective studies and meta-analyses of retrospective studies. ResultsTraumatic events in childhood and adolescent years were a risk factor for developing psychotic disorders with a 2-to-3-fold increase in risk compared to individuals without any trauma history. In addition, the accumulation of traumatic events increased this risk to more than 4-fold after 3 traumatic events. Furthermore, in patients with psychosis symptoms and a history of traumatic events, symptoms were more severe and more resistant. Finally, multiple dimensions of post traumatic symptoms appeared to mediate the relation between trauma and psychotic emergence. ConclusionSpotting traumatic events in life, taking care of chronic and repetitive trauma as soon as possible and preventing revictimization by building trauma sensitive institutions appear to be a way of preventing psychosis outcomes.