Stock photo. Posed by model.
Every serious disease, which occurs in a family member, being chronic and demanding continuous treatment with recurrent exacerbation episodes, despite of adhering to recommendations, associated with the risk of hospitalisation and disability, is a rapid situational change for the family, the acceptance of which requires a certain time period. It is more difficult to accept the diagnosis of serious mental diseases than of severe somatic disease (except cancer), e.g. diabetes mellitus of type 1.
It induces a phenomenon of depression in caregivers of the patient, associated with the sense of loss of the earlier picture of the affected family member, a feeling close to mourning, as well as - with the chronic character of schizophrenia - reactions close to the professional burnout syndrome - with passage to routinised behaviours and emotions.
Did you know that...
During this decade, observations of the impacts, which a disease exerts on the patient's family and relatives, are focuses around the problems of distress, suffered by the family members and usually associated with the severity and chronic character of symptoms, unfavourable prognosis, as well as with adverse effects after antipsychotic drugs.
Remember!
It is still the family and its members, who have huge, often decisive influence on the further course of schizophrenia and who may become the best allies of the patient on his/her way to recovery.
show more