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Published Online: 1 October 2013

Childhood Maltreatment and Psychopathology: A Case for Ecophenotypic Variants as Clinically and Neurobiologically Distinct Subtypes

Abstract

Objective

Childhood maltreatment increases risk for psychopathology. For some highly prevalent disorders (major depression, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder) a substantial subset of individuals have a history of maltreatment and a substantial subset do not. The authors examined the evidence to assess whether those with a history of maltreatment represent a clinically and biologically distinct subtype.

Method

The authors reviewed the literature on maltreatment as a risk factor for these disorders and on the clinical differences between individuals with and without a history of maltreatment who share the same diagnoses. Neurobiological findings in maltreated individuals were reviewed and compared with findings reported for these disorders.

Results

Maltreated individuals with depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders have an earlier age at onset, greater symptom severity, more comorbidity, a greater risk for suicide, and poorer treatment response than nonmaltreated individuals with the same diagnoses. Imaging findings associated with these disorders, such as reduced hippocampal volume and amygdala hyperreactivity, are more consistently observed in maltreated individuals and may represent a maltreatment-related risk factor. Maltreated individuals also differ from others as a result of epigenetic modifications and genetic polymorphisms that interact with experience to increase risk for psychopathology.

Conclusions

Phenotypic expression of psychopathology may be strongly influenced by exposure to maltreatment, leading to a constellation of ecophenotypes. While these ecophenotypes fit within conventional diagnostic boundaries, they likely represent distinct subtypes. Recognition of this distinction may be essential in determining the biological bases of these disorders. Treatment guidelines and algorithms may be enhanced if maltreated and nonmaltreated individuals with the same diagnostic labels are differentiated.

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Information

Published In

Go to American Journal of Psychiatry
Go to American Journal of Psychiatry
American Journal of Psychiatry
Pages: 1114 - 1133
PubMed: 23982148

History

Received: 20 July 2012
Revision received: 30 November 2012
Revision received: 28 April 2013
Accepted: 6 May 2013
Published online: 1 October 2013
Published in print: October 2013

Authors

Details

Martin H. Teicher, M.D., Ph.D.
From the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston; and the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass.
Jacqueline A. Samson, Ph.D.
From the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston; and the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass.

Notes

Address correspondence to Dr. Teicher ([email protected]).

Funding Information

Dr. Teicher has developed and patented technology for the assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which has been licensed by McLean Hospital to BioBehavioral Diagnostic Company (BioBDx), and he has received research support from CNS Response and the Litebook Company. Dr. Teicher has received royalty payments, research support, travel reimbursement, and consulting fees from BioBDx.
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