PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS AND TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES

There is research evidence [Kelleher et.al; American Journal of Psychiatry Vol 70: Issue 7: Pages. 734-741]that adolescents who are assaulted or bullied are significantly more likely to experience psychotic symptoms. They also noted that adolescents with psychotic symptoms were significantly more likely to be assaulted and more likely to be bullied.  So, they found a bidirectional relationship between psychotic symptoms and trauma for adolescents.  If you have psychotic symptoms you are significantly more likely to be traumatized and if you are traumatized you are significantly more likely to have psychotic symptoms. Also of significance is the finding that the more an adolescent is traumatized the more likely to have psychotic symptoms.  Importantly, they also found that if trauma was reduced the psychotic symptoms were also reduced. 

The above highlights the severe stress that adolescents experience when they are traumatized including leading to psychotic symptoms that are directly related to the traumas and will be reduced [go away completely?] when traumas are reduced.  Also, it is important to realize that adolescents with psychotic symptoms are more likely to be traumatized and hopefully can be protected from this happening. 

I have seen psychotic symptoms in traumatized adolescents and adults that can be successfully treated by stopping the trauma and reducing or eliminating flashback experiences related to the traumas.