May 8, 2023

New Study: Examining Interpersonal Trauma and Depression Severity in Bipolar Disorder

Collaborators at Deakin University in Australia used data from the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder to examine the experiences of interpersonal trauma and its affects on the trajectory of bipolar disorder.

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Prechter Program collaborators at Deakin University in Australia recently published a paper, "Interpersonal Trauma and Depression Severity Among Individuals With Bipolar Disorder: Findings from the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder." The researchers set out to examine the effects of childhood and adult trauma on bipolar disorder using data from the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder.

Interpersonal trauma and bipolar disorder

Not only are experiences of interpersonal trauma common among people living with bipolar disorder, we know that they can also impact the longitudinal course of the condition. However, further research in this field is needed.

Data from the Heinz C. Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder

The research team explored the relationship between interpersonal trauma – experienced in childhood and/or in adulthood – and the longitudinal course of depression in bipolar disorder.

What did the research show?

The study highlighted that individuals who were exposed to interpersonal trauma – especially in childhood – reported greater depression severity. Thus, interpersonal trauma could potentially be considered as a viable treatment target. Do you want to know more? Read the article here.

This research was conducted in collaboration with IMPACT TRIALS at Deakin University in Australia.