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Samantha Mora

ENGL 1301-210

Dr. Sharity Nelson

13 April 2023

The Relationship Between Trauma and Bipolar Disorder: Rhetorical Analysis

Stuart Watson, et al, did a research analysis on the possibility of the link of early childhood

trauma and bipolar disorder; their peer reviewed article is titled “Childhood trauma in bipolar

disorder”. According to Watson, et al, there is few researches being done in regards to how early

childhood trauma contributes to bipolar disorder. Watson, et al, aims to have a comparison of rates

between individuals who do not suffer from bipolar disorder, and those who have the illness.

Watson’s, et al, argument is that their research demonstrates significant associations between

bipolar disorder, and the early childhood trauma based on CTQ surveys (567). Watson’s, et al,

article is effective in supporting its argument because the rhetorical appeals of logos is seen in the

article through the research that has credibility, having used proper approach in gathering evidence

to obtain a profound collection of data on the desired goal.

To start with, Watson, et. al, analyze the relationship between trauma and bipolar disorder,

by using logos, various facts from other sources which were taken into consideration that were

critical in knowing how to proceed in the research. The CTQ surveys of people with bipolar 1 or

2 were used to analyze in contrast to the people without this illness. According to Watson, et al,

there is a significantly higher result in childhood trauma with people who have either bipolar

disorder 1 or 2 than other people in the participating group (567). With these data Watson, et al,

were able to conclude that the individuals with bipolar 1, and 2 have had more negative events and
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aspects throughout their lifetime. Watson, et al, use logos within their explanations by focusing on

how this information aids in their own research while making sure this evidence is based on sources

that are reliable (564). Watson, et al, use research done by other experts, and people within the

medical field such as psychiatrists to their own findings drawing connections; so that there is the

understanding on how these separate resources function as one in making this research successful.

Without a doubt, Watson, et al, incorporated logos by using evidence revised from reliable sources,

to support their own findings to be able to sustain their research on the correlation between trauma

and bipolar disorder.

Secondly, Watson, et. al, argues how trauma, and bipolar disorder is tied more to emotional

abuse rather than other forms of abuse such as physical assault (566). Watson, et al, found there is

a significant difference between sexual abuse, and emotional abuse; where emotional abuse was

found to be more severe in the cause of bipolar disorder than physical abuse (566). The information

obtained on the CTQ survey showed that the high-rate numbers in emotional trauma, and the

connection of the people having been diagnosed later in life with bipolar disorder; is a great start

Watson, et al, used in showing the importance of finding the reason as to why this medical

condition is triggered on psychological abuse (565). This critical evidence found by Watson, et al,

has more investigation to be narrowed down; based that both emotional, and sexual abuse tend to

have an effect mentally (567). There seems to be a wide range in difference between physical

abuse to emotional abuse in regards to the results obtained with Watson, et al, findings (566). The

level of persistence in the emotional neglect a person undergoes the higher the risk is that the

individual becomes diagnosed, yet also how early on in life (567). The research done by Watson,

et al, was able to show “Logistic regression” which placed the individual at a higher risk of being

diagnosed with either bipolar 1, or 2 (568). Based on the careful consideration, in information
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received, and applied in this research Watson et al, have been able to have a concrete beginning to

finding data; the proper use of logos has helped in the aim of their investigation (565).

Lastly, Watson, et al, concludes their investigation between trauma and bipolar disorder by

utilizing logos suggesting there is the need to find out more on the aspects of their research, and

that there is enough evidence; to imply there may be new content discovered linking trauma with

bipolar disorder (568). The use of logos is sufficient enough that Watson, et al, were able to more

deeply understand what is required in order for this investigation to have a more concrete basis;

discover main points such as emotional vs. physical abuse connection with bipolar disorder (567).

The proper use of accurate information led Watson, et al, to find important information such as

with the CTQ surveys, and having people without the disorder in the research (566). The small

steps in investigation from Watson, et al, have made finding a link between child trauma, and

bipolar disorder more tangible. Watson, et al, managed to input the critical pieces of information

from the sample; so that there is the knowledge as to the individuals who were being evaluated

making an informed decision on the research itself. Watson, et al, included important factors such

as basic traits of the people who would be included in their research. The calculations made for the

CTQ surveys were included to show how the final numbers were obtained (567); Watson, et al,

placed the calculations steps in the analysis because they require the information to be guided

throughout so that their research would be able to receive support. Watson, et al, were able to note

down the specific requirements needed so that any future investigation may be closer with finding

the connection in reaching an elaborated, and concrete reason as to why, and how is emotional

abuse more linked to bipolar disorder (567). Clearly, the use of logos in the research strengthens

the idea of the relationship between trauma and bipolar disorder; and how there is additional

research that could possibly be conducted in the future.

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In conclusion, Watson, et al, were able to get as far as their research abilities allowed them.

Watson, et al, managed to have an accurate and functional research database; the communication,

interchange of ideas, and sample size available was used to its full potential (565). Unquestionably,

Watson’s, et al article is strong with backing up its argument with the use of the rhetorical appeal

of logos as seen in the article.

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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

https://tamiu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01TAMIU_INST/1uu8ptt/cdi_pubmedc

entral_primary_oai_pubmedcentral_nih_gov_4539529