Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder that affects twenty-nine million adults (1% of the population) worldwide (World Health Organization, 2010). The age of onset of this disorder is usually between eighteen and thirty-five (Chan, 2011). Schizophrenia affects a person’s quality of life and functioning in life domains such as: employment; education; personal relationships; and social interactions (Schizophrenia, n.d.). A diagnosis of Schizophrenia includes positive symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, and distorted/disorganized thinking (Schizophrenia, n.d.). In addition, a person may have negative symptoms including flat affect, social withdrawal, and lack of interest (Schizophrenia, n.d.). Schizophrenia creates substantial
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This paper will discuss the impact of Schizophrenia on families focusing on: family dynamics; and burden of care; physical health, mental health; financial burdens.
Family Dynamics
Chronic illness, “The Uninvited Guest Who Never Leaves”, profoundly affects families (Weinstein. Class 2 slides) Family dynamics can change during the course of a chronic illness such as schizophrenia. Family System theorists talk about the circular dynamics and how it promotes change within the family (Weinstein. Class 2 slides). Notably, family dynamics influence the health and illness of the family, in turn, health and illness affects the family dynamics (Weinstein. Class 2 slides). This cycle continues in a circular motion until the weakest link in the system breaks or someone fixes it (Weinstein. Class 2 slides). …show more content…
Consequently, families are now responsible and encumbered for the care of relatives suffering from Schizophrenia (Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, & Osman, 2010). The adverse effects of caregiving results in objective and subjective burdens on the family (Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, & Osman, 2010). Objective burdens refer to the financial costs and life changes subjected to family caregivers (Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, & Osman, 2010). On the other hand, the subjective burdens are the emotional reactions and feelings experienced by the caregiver (Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, & Osman, 2010) The burden put on a family dealing with severe mental illness causes disagreements, tension, and opposition leading to dysfunction within the family (Awad, & Voruganti, 2008). To illustrate, Awad and Wallace (1999), states the results of a survey of 697 caregivers and 439 patients recognized the greatest burdens of Schizophrenia on families are: social isolation; increased family conflicts; financial difficulties; lack of social support; change in family dynamics; lack of employment; decrease in family social gatherings/ activities; and access to treatment and care. In the same manner, Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, and Osman (2010), investigated how Schizophrenia affects family functioning. The researchers conducted
This paper will discuss the impact of Schizophrenia on families focusing on: family dynamics; and burden of care; physical health, mental health; financial burdens.
Family Dynamics
Chronic illness, “The Uninvited Guest Who Never Leaves”, profoundly affects families (Weinstein. Class 2 slides) Family dynamics can change during the course of a chronic illness such as schizophrenia. Family System theorists talk about the circular dynamics and how it promotes change within the family (Weinstein. Class 2 slides). Notably, family dynamics influence the health and illness of the family, in turn, health and illness affects the family dynamics (Weinstein. Class 2 slides). This cycle continues in a circular motion until the weakest link in the system breaks or someone fixes it (Weinstein. Class 2 slides). …show more content…
Consequently, families are now responsible and encumbered for the care of relatives suffering from Schizophrenia (Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, & Osman, 2010). The adverse effects of caregiving results in objective and subjective burdens on the family (Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, & Osman, 2010). Objective burdens refer to the financial costs and life changes subjected to family caregivers (Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, & Osman, 2010). On the other hand, the subjective burdens are the emotional reactions and feelings experienced by the caregiver (Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, & Osman, 2010) The burden put on a family dealing with severe mental illness causes disagreements, tension, and opposition leading to dysfunction within the family (Awad, & Voruganti, 2008). To illustrate, Awad and Wallace (1999), states the results of a survey of 697 caregivers and 439 patients recognized the greatest burdens of Schizophrenia on families are: social isolation; increased family conflicts; financial difficulties; lack of social support; change in family dynamics; lack of employment; decrease in family social gatherings/ activities; and access to treatment and care. In the same manner, Alipah, Tutiiryani, Ainsah, and Osman (2010), investigated how Schizophrenia affects family functioning. The researchers conducted