Influence of Attachment Behavior in Psychosis

Psychosis is a symptom of functional decline due to hallucinations, delusions, and the resulting behavior, and it appears in several psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia and severe mood episodes of bipolar affective disorder. Psychosis is influenced by environmental factors, including childhood stress, as well as genetic predisposition. People with psychosis are known to have more insecure attachments than the general population, and are particularly more likely to display dismissive attachment styles. Attachment behavior is related to stress-induced CRH secretion, CRH suppression by oxytocin, and dopamine release in the brain. Imbalances of CRH, oxytocin, and dopamine are expected in psychotic patients with unstable attachments, requiring tailored treatment for this condition. Therefore, this review intends to investigate the effects of insecure attachment in individuals with psychosis.