Group meetings of caretakers of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorders

Abstract

Background:In India, there is a paucity of trained professionals to execute psychosocial interventions. Families are thus assigned the role of primary caretakers of individuals with chronic mental illness.Aim:To assess the perceived benefits and difficulties of group meetings among caregivers of persons with schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorders, and to evaluate the utilization pattern of general hospital psychiatric unit (GHPU) services by caregivers who regularly attend such group meetings.Methods:Persons with schizophrenia and those with bipolar mood disorders with associated psychosocial problems and on maintenance medication were identified at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Unit of the Department of Psychiatry, Father Muller Medical College. Significant caregivers of the identified patients were informed about the group meeting. Group meetings were conducted for about 45 minutes once a month for caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorders. Data regarding the psychosocial aspects of caregivers were collected before entry to the meeting and after 17 months of their participation. Participants who attended the meetings irregularly were excluded from the study.Results:The group meetings led to effective monitoring of the functioning of individuals, a reduction in the subjective family burden and family distress, a better support system with adequate coping skills and good compliance with treatment programmes.Conclusion:Conducting regular group meetings for a homogeneous population at a GHPU is feasible and beneficial.

Sociodemographic Profile of Caretakers of Patients Suffering From Depressive Disorder

“…5 Other studies had also found similar results. 6,17 Maximum percentage of the caretakers in this study i.e. 60% were Hindus whereas 27.5% were Muslims and 12.5% were of other religion.…”

Needs of Siblings of Persons with Psychosis: A Systematic Descriptive Review

“…Support groups can fulfill the needs of the siblings and alleviate their issues in caring for a sibling with psychosis. Empirical results show that such groups on caregivers of psychosis were found to be effective in addressing various issues and needs 42,43,44,45,46)…”

Schizophrenia: Indian Research: II—Treatment Issues

“…Family intervention: Many studies have evaluated the efficacy and effectiveness of family intervention in schizophrenia (Chacko 1967;Narayanan et al 1972Narayanan et al , 1988Pai and Kapur 1983;Pai and Roberts 1983;Pai et al 1985;Verghese 1988;Ismail Shihabuddeen and Gopinath 2005;Thara et al 2005;Kulhara et al 2009;Sovani 1993;Devaramane et al 2011;Patra et al 2011). These studies have used different kinds of interventions such as home-based treatment by nurse, treatment in the family ward, family psychoeducation, brief inpatient intervention and single-session psychoeducation.…”

“…These studies reflect that family psychoeducation for schizophrenia (addressing optimal medication management and addressing the family's feelings of loss) leads to reduction in the rates of relapse, which is significantly more than that seen in the control groups. Benefits are also noted in the form of reduction in burden, functioning, symptom reduction, rate of hospitalization, knowledge and attitude, use of better coping skills, treatment adherence, drug compliance, disability, caregiver satisfaction and caregiver support (Chacko 1967;Narayanan et al 1972Narayanan et al , 1988Pai and Kapur 1983;Pai and Roberts 1983;Pai et al 1985;Verghese 1988;Ismail Shihabuddeen and Gopinath 2005;Thara et al 2005;Kulhara et al 2009;Sovani 1993;Devaramane et al 2011). …”