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Samantha Mora

ENGL 1301-210

Dr. Sharity Nelson

30 March 2023

Childhood trauma in bipolar disorder

According to Watson, et al, there is few research being done in regards to how early trauma

contributes to bipolar disorder. Watson, et al, aimed to have a comparison of rates between

individuals who don’t suffer from bipolar disorder and, those who have this mental illness. The

main focus is to research more on whether there is a significant link between childhood trauma

leading to a bipolar disorder diagnosis (564). Methods used in this research where assessments

that were given to the participants called “Child trauma questionnaire” (CTQ); according to

Watson, et al, this questionnaire would be a good method in finding an answer to their question on

whether the “Childhood trauma” plays a role in bipolar disorder diagnosis (564). Watson’s, et al,

article is in/effective in supporting its argument because it wants to have credibility yet,

weaknesses such as having the use of pathos within facts/statistics in their research and, trying to

base their point just on facts/statistics they gathered without a concrete counterargument.

According to Watson, et al, there is a significant high result in childhood trauma with

people who have either bipolar disorder 1 or 2 than other people in the participating group. Watson,

et al, show charts that state high numbers in those with bipolar 1 and 2 diagnoses (567). With these

charts Watson, et al, where able to come to the conclusion that this people with bipolar 1 and 2

have been much more put through negative events and, aspects throughout their lifetime. Watson,

et al, use pathos within their explanations of this charts yet, the focus is directed more to the

emotional aspect being caused to an audience than the support this pathos may contribute their
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article. The high-rate numbers involve pathos because this may inflict people into feeling empathy

for those who suffer the bipolar illness (566). The use of pathos is not correctly applied to the

article because Watson, et al, are not truly getting closer to reaching the goal of their article which

is to find out more on trauma linked to the illness. The information provided also has many flaws

because the use of the word “may” be used meaning that Watson, et al, are basing themselves with

information that is still yet, to be proven accurate/credible. With the article that Watson, et al,

created there is various pathos too much of it causing the article to eventually become stuck.

Watson, et al, use logos the same amount as with pathos which causes the article to not progress

much with logos as well. There is statistics information being gathered yet, its not new enough for

Watson, et al, to truly achieve the purpose of the research that the audience doesn’t already know

about through other resources (567). Ethos is also used in the article there is a sense of trust with

the flow of information statistics and, facts yet, this information starts well but, then becomes stuck

eventually causing the ethos to fail lowering the credibility of Watson, et al (568).
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Work Cited

Watson, Stuart, et al. “Childhood trauma in bipolar disorder.” Australian & New Zealand Journal

of Psychiatry, vol. 48, no. 6, 2014, pp. 564-570. The Royal Australian and New Zealand

College of Psychiatrists, DOI: 10.1177/0004867413516681