A preliminary study of the impact of long-term psychotic disorder on patients' families.
OBJECTIVE
To assess impact of long term psychotic disorders on caregivers.


METHODS
A questionnaire based, interviewer administered, cross-sectional survey using the translated version of a Burden Assessment scale (BAS).


METHODS
Outpatient clinic of the University Psychiatry Unit, National Hospital, Sri Lanka.


METHODS
50 caregivers of patients suffering from psychotic disorders for more than 2 years.


METHODS
The BAS was administered to 50 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.
de Silva
D
D
Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. damani@srilanka.net
de Silva
S
S
D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload