A Protocol of Case Control Study of Childhood Trauma and Alexithymia in Persons with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Psychological trauma may occur when an individual suffers from serious loss or his/her life is under serious threat. If such traumatic experience is failed to be resolved, it may lead to drug misuse including alcohol dependence. Early childhood trauma may predispose an individual to mental health issues, including development of alcohol dependence later in life. Childhood trauma includes various forms like emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect. Those who experience and suffer from earlylife trauma may consume alcohol to cope with trauma related symptoms. In general, onset of trauma precedes onset of alcohol dependence. Childhood trauma can act as preceding factor for alexithymia. Childhood emotional abuse might be a risk factor for alexithymia among inpatient alcohol dependents. Aim: Present synopsis aims at finding out relationship between childhood trauma and alexithymia in persons diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS). Materials and Methods: The study would be a case control study. It will be conducted at tertiary healthcare centre from central rural India. Study participants will be selected from psychiatry inpatients with diagnosis of ADS. The study will include total 110 persons of which 55 will belong to “case” group and 55 will belong to “control” group, both including persons between age group of 18-45 years who fulfill International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders 10th revision Diagnostic Criteria for Research (ICD 10 DCR) and diagnostic criteria for ADS. Conclusion: The study expect to find significant relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and alexithymia among the persons with ADS.

Keywords

• addiction psychiatry
• emotional abuse
• emotional neglect
• physical abuse
• physical neglect
• sexual abuse