Psychiatrists Worldwide Provide Insights into Essentials of Patient Care
BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Patients with serious
mental illness, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar
disorder can live productive and fulfilling lives. Yet an international survey
of psychiatrists illuminates that there are major barriers to long-term
wellness, which include stigma, limited resources and the fear and
consequences of relapse.
Gathering perspectives of 697 psychiatrists from Australia, Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United
States, the survey tapped into their insights on how family caregivers,
stigma, treatment non-adherence and relapse affect the lives of people living
with these debilitating illnesses. Findings show that psychiatrists have
frequently seen how relapse can be a devastating blow to both individuals and
their families, and how this has resulted in hospitalization, employment loss,
incarceration or even suicide.
This survey of psychiatrists, the second of a Keeping Care Complete series
of surveys, builds upon findings from a 2006 assessment of 1,082 caregivers
that shed light on experiences of family caregivers of individuals with
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
'More than 50 million people suffer from serious mental illnesses around
the world,' said Preston Garrison, Secretary-General and Chief Executive
Officer, World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). 'An indirect consequence
of serious mental illness is that it can have a negative impact on family
caregivers' own physical and emotional health. That is why it's so important
that family members get the support they need so that they can take better
care of their loved ones. Keeping Care Complete is a vital research initiative
that is helping us understand the real life challenges faced by those who
treat, care for and live with serious mental illness.'
Keeping Care Complete was developed in partnership with the World
Federation for Mental Health and Eli Lilly and Company.
Consequences of relapse
Relapse is a major concern for caregivers and psychiatrists as patients
can suffer multiple relapses over the course of their lives.
