Perception of rearing circumstances relates to course of illness in patients with therapy-refractory affective disorders

Abstract

Background: Qualitative aspects of childhood experiences are believed to have an impact on course in affective disorder. Does perception of parental rearing correlate to persistence of affective illness?

Methods: In retrospective life charts were recorded every previous illness episode for 38 consecutive patients with treatment-refractory affective disorder. A semi-structured interview was used for collecting information about perception of parental rearing.

Results: Ten patients perceived themselves as "unwanted" during childhood, and 28 as "wanted". These former were found to have a more malignant illness course, as measured by total days in illness, percent of life in illness, and illness days per episode.

Limitations: The patient sample was small and the findings require replication.

Conclusions: Perception of not having been wanted by parents during upbringing might be an important vulnerability factor in the persistence of depressive symptomatology into adult life.