[The invisible children--when mother or father have schizophrenia].
BACKGROUND
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness with a profound negative influence on social functioning. How does a schizophrenic disorder in parents influence their rearing of their children?


METHODS
An extensive literature search in Medline and PsycInfo.


CONCLUSIONS
For children with other available carers, an acute psychosis in one parent may lead to a crisis reaction. Here relatively simple interventions can be helpful. In the case of severe and longstanding illness in a parent, the child may get a heavy burden. The illness may seriously interfere with the child's development and attachment behaviour and increase the risk of later psychological problems. Because of feelings of loyalty towards the afflicted parents, children are reluctant to ask for help from outsiders. The parents often want help for the family, but pull back from discussing their problems because they fear loss of custody. Few parts of the treatment system have structured routines for meeting the needs of these families. Comprehensive interventions that support parents' ability to care for their children and give the children opportunity to talk about their situation may relieve the situation.
Melle
Ingrid
I
Avdeling for forskning og undervisning, Divisjon psykiatri Ullevål universitetssykehus 0407 Oslo. ingrid.melle@psykiatri.uio.no
Johansen
Rune
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002657:Child Development; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy; D012944:Social Support