[Lack of insight into illness of schizophrenia patients from their relatives' perspective].
OBJECTIVE
Lack of insight into illness of patients with schizophrenia is often a big problem for relatives. Therefore, information was collected on how relatives assess the patients' insight into illness and their current treatment situation. This assessment was compared with the relatives' feelings of well-being.


METHODS
Questionnaire-assisted exploration of 84 relatives, who participated in an information session about lack of insight into illness.


RESULTS
73 % of patients had a lack of insight into illness according to their relatives. Of these, 79 % were male, the mean duration of inpatient treatment was 12 months, 56 % used an antipsychotic medication and 80 % were "quite/very ill". Of the patients with insight into illness, 45 % were male (p < 0.01), the duration of inpatient treatment was significantly longer (29 months; p < 0.05), 86 % used antipsychotics (p < 0.05) and only 42 % were judged as "quite/very ill" (p < 0.01). Only 49 % of relatives from the first group, but 67 % of relatives from the second group described their feelings of well-being as "very good / good" (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of insight into illness requires greater scientific attention in order to develop better treatment options along with greater relief for relatives.
Froböse
Teresa
T
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München. t.froboese@lrz.tu-muenchen.de
Pitschel-Walz
Gabi
G
Bäuml
Josef
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001364:Awareness; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents