Review article

Reactions of family with member with mental disorder

Slađana Štrkalj-Ivezić ; Psychiatric hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia
Sanja Martić-Biočina ; Psychiatric hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The aim of working with families where a member suffers from mental disorders is
a cost effective method that should be part of standard treatment plan for most individuals
suffering from mental disorders. The effectiveness of this method was confirmed in scientific
research and clinical practice. This paper describes the reactions of the family after being
informed about the mental illness of a family member, education about the illness and work
to improve communication within the family. Education about the illness except information
about the illness and treatment includes working with the emotional aspects of the reactions
to illness. Topics include symptoms, psychobiosocial concept, the stress vulnerability
theory, prognosis, detecting early signs of exacerbation, treatment including medication,
psychotherapy and rehabilitation plan for prevention. Stigma in the family and family stigmatization
may be greater obstacles to recovery from the illness than illness alone. The family
reactions to illness include denial, sadness and mourning, the experience of failure,
shame and stigma. These reactions may negatively affect the outcome of illness and increase
the risk for illness of family members especially when it comes to illness which requires
long-term support from the family. The goal of working with families is to help families
to better cope with illness and to encourage communication that help recovery from
illness. The paper also describes the specific methods of working with families such as working
with the over-critical and overly protective behavior.

Keywords

express emotions; family treatment; mental illness

Hrčak ID:

59258

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/59258

Publication date:

13.9.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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