Traumatic events and attachment in Bipolar Disorder

Traumatic experiences in childhood and adolescence may affect, in the later stages of life, the individual adaptation, generating psychological distress situations. This study aims to investigate, in an exploratory way, the relationship between traumatic experiences, lived in childhood and adolescence, and attachment bond in a group of 19 patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Through the administration of the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan, & Main, 1985) traumatic events were detected and attachment style was investigated. The results indicate that a high percentage of bipolar patients experienced traumatic events during childhood and adolescence. In almost all cases, these patients have an insecure attachment and attachment insecurity appear to be related to having experienced traumatic events.