New study identifies link between child abuse and the severity of symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking, lack of motivation or emotions in schizophrenic patients.

In addition, hallucinations in those with psychotic disorders were associated with all types of childhood trauma.
"This means there is something about childhood trauma that leads some people to develop hallucinations," said lead author Sarah Bendall, research fellow at the University of Melbourne in Australia.
Researchers added that around one in every 100 people will experience a psychotic disorder in their lives, with the majority developing symptoms between 18 to 25 years old.
Until now, treatments for trauma in psychosis focused on post-traumatic stress disorder rather than specific symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
But this research not only helps in refine treatments for patients with psychotic disorders, it may also help to empower young patients.
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"We can also arm young people with some of this research knowledge and then they can make decisions about the factors that may have caused their psychosis to develop or continue. It's a very empowering thing to be able to give people that information," the researcher said.
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