Trauma exposure among individuals with mood disorders: a cross-sectional study at a tertiary psychiatric facility in Uganda
By
Joan Abaatyo
Emmanuel Alol
Mark Mohan Kaggwa
October 9, 2025
Clinical Scorecard: Exposure to Trauma in Patients with Mood Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Analysis at a Tertiary Psychiatric Center in Uganda
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Mood disorders including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder Key Mechanisms Trauma exposure alters stress-response systems and neurobiological functioning, increasing risk and severity of mood disorders Target Population Adults with mood disorders attending outpatient psychiatric services in southwestern Uganda Care Setting Tertiary psychiatric outpatient clinic at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
Key Highlights
Strong association between childhood and interpersonal trauma and onset, severity, and treatment resistance of mood disorders High prevalence of trauma exposure in Sub-Saharan African populations compounded by socio-economic adversity and conflict Trauma histories often overlooked in clinical practice due to stigma, time constraints, and lack of standardized assessment tools Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Use standardized diagnostic criteria (DSM-5, ICD-10) for mood disorder diagnosis Incorporate trauma history assessment using validated tools such as the Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire (SLESQ) Management
Adopt trauma-informed psychiatric care approaches addressing underlying traumatic experiences Consider comorbid psychiatric conditions including substance use and anxiety disorders in treatment planning Monitoring & Follow-up
Regularly assess symptom severity and treatment response, especially in patients with trauma histories Monitor for suicide ideation and attempts using validated scales like the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Risks
Increased risk of treatment resistance and relapse in patients with trauma exposure Elevated suicide risk associated with trauma and mood disorders necessitates vigilant assessment Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults with mood disorders and documented trauma exposure in a Ugandan tertiary psychiatric outpatient setting
Polypharmacy and treatment resistance may be more common in patients with trauma histories; tailored interventions are needed
Clinical Best Practices
Systematically screen for lifetime trauma exposure using validated instruments like SLESQ Integrate trauma-informed care principles into psychiatric treatment plans Address socio-cultural factors such as stigma and reliance on traditional healers to improve access and adherence Ensure confidentiality and informed consent during trauma assessment Train mental health staff in recognizing and managing trauma-related complications in mood disorders References
