Extra care burden in comorbid mental-somatic illnesses.
OBJECTIVE
Caregivers play a fundamental role in the lives of mental patients with whom they have an interdependent relationship. The current review provides evidence supporting the association between providing care for a mentally ill person and an often unrecognized burden on the life of the caregiver.


RESULTS
Caregivers often sustain a significant physical, emotional, social, and financial stress related to providing care for a loved one with a mental disease. Caregiver-oriented psychoeducational programs and caregiver participation in mutual support groups are among interventions that could assist in relief from this burden.


CONCLUSIONS
Further work needs to be done regarding the burden experienced by caregivers who are responsible for mental patients with somatic symptoms. Participation of the caregiver in programs that target this burden should be encouraged. Physicians should take into consideration caregivers' needs and worries and incorporate them in the healing process.
Malliori
Minerva-Melpomeni
MM
1st Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece. mmalliori@otenet.gr
Chioti
Vassiliki
V
Konstantopoulou
Kalliopi
K
D017028:Caregivers; D017281:Cost of Illness; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support