Circles of Care, and Ties that Bind—Response to Weegmann and Head

Abstract

Giving examples from three different contexts Martin Weegmann and Anabel Head (2016) discuss carers' groups in substance misuse and personality disorders services, and the dynamics and structures of such groups. These interventions for carers are not only sociopolitically apt, and morally sound, but such work can also support the treatment of the patient. As described in this article through legislation the British society has put the carers' needs on equal footing as the patients'. Supporting the carers who are devoting so much for their sick loved ones makes moral sense as well as socio-political. In addition, developing a shared understanding and common language that can help manage heightened emotional states can result in the emotional stress of the family environment being reduced. The family can act as a 'coach to the patient', thus supporting the treatment received in a therapeutic setting. Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (Linehan, 1993) and Mentalization Based Therapy (Bateman and Fonagy, 2006) are two widely applied models, which can help the family at time of a stressful (non-mentalizing) state, to make a joint effort to reset.Few programmes have been developed to serve families with relatives diagnosed with Axis II disorders particularly in comparison to the psycho-education programmes developed and made available for Axis I disorders (McFarlane, Dixon, Lukens et al., 2003). Bateman and Krawitz (2013) describe that family members often live with, as well as financially and emotionally support, the person with Borderline Personality Disorder. The family members themselves also experience high levels of distress. Without supporting the family, the patient 674090G AQ0010.

Families and friends group: a group that straddles teaching, support and transformation

“…The group’s boundaries are that any information shared remains in the group and we maintain confidentiality between this group and the patients’ treatment. This causes a particular problem for us, the staff members of this group, as we are also involved in the patients’ treatment groups, as discussed with examples in the response article to Weegmann and Head (Cilasun, 2016). Staff manage the confidentiality for both the patient and the family member, for example we may facilitate the families and friends group, as well as the treatment group that their loved one attends.…”