Psychological trauma in childhood as a risk factor for developing schizophrenia

Resumo

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a behavioral disorder that usually has its onset in late adolescence or early adult life. Symptoms often occur insidiously and diagnosis is ratified over time. Early identification of the disease and longitudinal follow-up of patients in primary care environment facilitate the successful treatment of the disease.

Objective: This report aims to describe the case of a patient with newly diagnosed schizophrenia, accompanied by a Unit of Primary Health Care in Cuiaba – MT, by a Family Physician and identify risk factors in childhood traumatic.

Methodology or experience description: Experience report obtained from serial interviews with IS ,32 years old ,female, registered resident in the area covered by a Unit of Primary Health Care of Cuiaba - MT, during the period August to September 2013. The interviews were conducted in an outpatient unit in question.

Results: Kaplan et al suggest the diathesis - stress model in which an individual, from vulnerability (genetic or biological) plus a stressful environmental factor can develop Esquizofrenia. The patient reported having been the victim of several episodes of sexual abuse including rape devoid of carnal knowledge, at 10 and 11 years old. The case demonstrates that after experiencing stress, evolved with the onset of the disease. The passive attitude and little protective mother was mentioned, and this may also have contributed to the worsening of the pathological condition. The patient manifested symptoms of schizophrenia at age 21 and was diagnosed at age 30.

Conclusions or Hypothesis: We report a case of schizophrenia, in which the patient is clinically stable due to longitudinal care exercised by a family physician. It was possible to identify psychological trauma in her childhood. It is known that social determinants have continuing influence on the natural history of diseases, and you can link them in this study for the development of schizophrenia.