Internet forums: a self-help approach for individuals with schizophrenia?
OBJECTIVE
To study if and how online self-help forums for individuals with schizophrenia are used.


METHODS
We analysed 1200 postings of 576 users in 12 international schizophrenia forums regarding communicative skills [fields of interest and self-help mechanisms (SHM)].


RESULTS
The forums were predominantly used by affected individuals, few relatives or friends. The fields of interest of the users concern daily problems of the illness like symptoms and emotional involvement with the illness. Self-help mechanisms mostly used are disclosure and providing information. Emotional interaction e.g. empathy or gratitude were comparatively rare.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals suffering from schizophrenia participate in online self-help forums using the same SHM, discussing similar topics as do individuals with other psychiatric disorders as well as not affected relatives and caregivers. Therefore, this tool seems to be a useful approach to cope with alienation and isolation, albeit only a small number of schizophrenia forums are found in the Internet.
Haker
H
H
Psychiatric University Hospital, Research Unit for Clinical and Social Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland. haker@bli.unizh.ch
Lauber
C
C
Rössler
W
W
D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D016896:Treatment Outcome