Childhood trauma and impulsivity in bipolar patients

Aims: To assess the frequency of traumatic childhood experiences in patients with bipolar disorder and to analyze the relationship between childhood trauma and levels of impulsivity in these patients.Methods: Cross-sectional study including 61 patients with bipolar disorder. We used the Childhood trauma questionnaire to assess childhood trauma and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale to measure impulsivity levels.Results: The mean age of the patients included in our study was 43.4 years. More than half of the patients (52.5%) had high levels of impulsivity. Almost two thirds of the patients (64%) had experienced at least one type of childhood trauma. Impulsivity levels were significantly associated with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire score.Conclusions: This work highlights the impact of childhood trauma on the course and impulsivity of patients with bipolar disorder and emphasizes the need to develop early prevention strategies to limit their deleterious effects and prevent their recurrence.