Caregiver burden in relatives of patients with schizophrenia – reality and methods of support

Schizophrenia is a chronic disease that aff ects about 1% of the population. Scientifi c interest in the families of sick people has been rooted in the search for systemic factors aff ecting the onset, course and prognosis of the illness. Today, more and more attention is being paid to the role of the family as a source of support in the treatment process, and family cohesion is considered a positive prognostic factor. A person with schizophrenia oft en needs accompanying in the recovery process, therefore the patient’s relatives can be a source of instrumental and socio-emotional support, oft en providing motivation for treatment and rehabilitation. Still, in the public health system the opportunities to support the patient’s family are relatively small and limited to single initiatives. At the same time, research results and clinical experiences suggest that caregivers oft en feel overwhelmed by daily duties, feel a lack of reliable knowledge, and it is diffi cult for them to adjust themselves to their new role. Th is chapter provides scientifi c refl ection on the consequences of caring for a person with schizophrenia. Th e state of the study and the possibilities of holistic support for the patient and his family system are analyzed