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Pamphlet #4

Benefits to Family Derived from Self-Help Initiatives Which Focus on Education, Problem Solving & Support

 

BENEFIT DEFINITION BEFORE SELF-HELP EDUCATION, PROBLEM-SOLVING & SUPPORT
 		 DURING SELF-HELP EDUCATION, PROBLEM-SOLVING & SUPPORT
 
EMOTIONAL

Emotionally drained
Prone to anger/tears/ frustration;
Unable to cope with sick relative;
Conversations with and behaviours of sick relative cause friction;
difficulty coping with other problems at home and in the work-place;
losing self-respect;
afraid to broach subject with friends;
fearful;
has let interests slide;
family relationships generally deteriorate
Thinks there is an immediate solution.
 

  

Gaining strength;
learning to deal with emotions;
learning coping strategies;
Learning how and when to respond to behaviours/ verbal contact;
learning whom to trust and situations to avoid;
Regaining stability through realising 'I am not alone';
beginning to speak about illness to friends;
renewing social life;
using strategies to improve communication & family relationships.
Recognizing there is no quick fix.
 
PHYSICAL

Constantly tired;
Not eating properly;
Gains weight/ loses weight;
minor ailments.
 

  

Coping strategies help to regain strength;
begins to look after self;
recognizes the signs of stress.
Gets help when needed
 
PRACTICAL

Cannot handle relative;
does not know what to do;
does not get help from medical profession;
cannot find housing, recreation or other programs for relative;
problems with money allocation;
Ongoing and new problems difficult.

  

Learns new strategies in psychology to help attitude and handling of relative;

Finds some solutions to problems through input of many families in same boat

Learns how the medical profession works; hospital systems; how to approach physicians for best results; input for best treatment;

May join with others to create services. eg housing.

Self-help organization can offer different help dependent on the stage of illness and length of caring
POLITICAL/
SOCIETAL

No political action, or little effective action.

Often fails to examine own attitudes to mental illness or to realize that attitudes are held.

 

Sees that the problems are not hers/ his alone - that they are widespread;
educates self;
Contacts municipal, provincial, state or national governments and agencies; makes collective representations in briefs;
Communicates effectively;
Creates strong family organization.

 
Benefits to the Person with Schizophrenia
Derived from Family Self-Help

All the benefits accruing to the family may in some measure improve the life of the person with schizophrenia.

There is a possibility of:

Benefits For Mental Health Professionals

At present this is still a double edged sword. Some professionals are defensive because they fear criticism of their management. Schizophrenia is a very difficult disease and many patients benefit only slightly from standard treatments (newer atypical medications now becoming available are, in general, a great improvement). Patients deny their illness, often refuse to take medications they have found unpleasant and often malign their doctors. Families are frustrated and desperately seeking a cure.

However, there are many signs of:

Reduction of Stigma

When a large body of people work at grass roots level to solve a problem, an almost imperceptible change begins to occur in attitudes. The complete change in media reporting that has taken place in Canada over the last 15 or so years is proof of this. The families were the first ones to speak out. They have been joined by the patients themselves where this is possible and now we see evidence that the psychiatric profession is joining this movement.


This pamphlet is a composite of World Schizophrenia Fellowship information and Canadian Medical Association and has been put together by WFSAD President Geraldine Marshall, BN, BAAN. January, 1994 .

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