[Childhood trauma in subjects at ultra high risk for psychosis]

Childhood adversity rates would be higher in subjects at ultra-high risk of psychosis than in the general population. In addition to reference ideas, magical thoughts and social dysfunction, subjects at ultra-high risk of psychosis with a history of childhood trauma would experience more severe and specific symptoms. Childhood trauma, especially sexual abuse, was associated with the transition to psychosis. Several models have been cited to explain the link between trauma and the subsequent onset of psychosis or prepsychotic states: dysfunctional cognitive patterns, affective dysregulation, attachment styles, biological mechanisms, and epigenetic regulation. No methods of trauma assessment has been developed or validated in subjects at ultra-high risk of psychosis. Current interventions aim to prevent or reduce the adversities of childhood and improve their coping skills. Neuroleptic prescription is only recommended if there is a significant increase in prepsychotic symptoms.