[Finding social support toward a better quality of life].
In 1994 my husband refused to work any more without explanations to his boss because of his mental illness. Then he was fired. Soon after that he run away from home and I looked for him every day, everywhere without success. Two years had passed. One day a neighbor of mine accidentally found my husband on the street who was wandering in shabby clothes. He was taken home. I realized that my husband was suffering from mental illness, so I took him to hospital. But he did not respond to the given drug during the hospitalization. I took him home and did not know what to do with the situation. Then luckily, I came to know about Beijing An Dong Hospital and their research project of family intervention supervised by both Professor Weng and Professor Phillips. I participated in the family group, where I gained the knowledge about illness and how to cope with everyday stress. In the group we could share our experiences and support each other. The original antipsychotic drug was switched into a new one in time for my husband, and he was much better. Now he is taking only one tablet a day for maintenance therapy keeping normal life for more than three years. Finally he found a new job, and is keep on working happily. He was promoted recently and we enjoy much better quality of life. Since we do not have a Mental Health Act yet in China, I will do my best to promote the movement to bring forth the legislation of such a law in close partnership with mental health professionals, the patients and their families.
Riuping
Xu
X
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support