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A preliminary study of the impact of long term psychotic disorder on patients' families
Authors:
D de Silva ,
Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, LK
S de Silva
University Psychiatry Unit, National Hospital, LK
Abstract
Objective To assess impact of long term psychotic disorders on caregivers.
Design A questionnaire based, interviewer administered, cross-sectional survey using the translated version of a Burden Assessment scale (BAS).
Setting Outpatient clinic of the University Psychiatry Unit, National Hospital, Sri Lanka.
Sample SO caregivers of patients suffering from psychotic disorders for more than 2 years
Measurements The BAS was administered to SO caregivers to assess degree of distress and domains of concerns.
Results 60% of caregivers felt very anxious and depressed. 54% experienced a financial decline, and 82% felt responsible for meeting the entire financial needs of the patient. 54% felt that their workload increased due to the illness. 58% of the caregivers were parents.
Conclusions Caregivers of patients with long term psychotic disorders are distressed, and have several concerns. Interventions focused on these will relieve the distress of caregivers and help patients. A majority of caregivers are parents. This has future implications, as many patients are not capable of independent living.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v46i4.6429
Ceylon Medical Journal 2001; 46(4): 121-123
How to Cite:
de Silva, D. and de Silva, S., 2014. A preliminary study of the impact of long term psychotic disorder on patients' families. Ceylon Medical Journal, 46(4), pp.121–123. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v46i4.6429
Published on
23 Jan 2014.
Peer Reviewed
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