Relationships between trauma and psychosis: a review and integration.
OBJECTIVE
This paper examines the research and theoretical literature on potential links between trauma and psychosis.


METHODS
Three main alternatives are considered; can psychosis cause PTSD, can trauma cause psychosis and could psychosis and PTSD both be part of a spectrum of responses to a traumatic event? The more influential studies considered are critically evaluated and methodological considerations specific to research regarding trauma and psychosis are also examined.


RESULTS
Evidence is found in support of each of these relationships, and an integrative approach to conceptualizing the relationships is suggested.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent conceptualizations of PTSD and psychosis are used to inform the consideration of these different pathways, and the implications for theories of psychosis and trauma and the clinical implications for services for psychotic patients are discussed.
Morrison
Anthony P
AP
Psychology Services, Bolton Salford and Trafford Mental Health Partnership, Manchester, UK. tony.morrison@psy.man.ac.uk
Frame
Lucy
L
Larkin
Warren
W
D015984:Causality; D003071:Cognition; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*