Early Childhood Abuse Tied to Schizophrenia Development

Based on a review of several past studies, researchers reported at two medical conferences last week that physical or sexual abuse plays a strong role in the development of schizophrenia. The abuse rates the researchers found in past studies ranged from 51 percent to 97 percent. In their presentations at the meetings, the two researchers, professors at the University of Auckland and the University of Manchester, cited a “known link” between the symptoms of PTSD and schizophrenia in making their argument about the role of trauma in schizophrenia development. They suggest that all individuals seeking mental health care should be asked about possible past abuse experiences. (Reuters (http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2006-06-16T153612Z_01_HAR656158_RTRUKOC_0_US-LINK-BETWEEN-PROPOSED.xml), 6/16/06)