Defined by Dillehay and Sandys, caregiver burden is “a psychological state that ensues from the combination of the physical work, emotional and social pressure, like the economic restriction, that arise of taking care of the patients” (Gutiérrez-Maldonado, Caqueo-Urízar, & Kavanagh, 2005). Although this definition only mentions the psychological state, there are various studies that have shown physical health to also be impacted. The main person who provides the most care and support is known as the “key carer” (Gutiérrez-Maldonado et al., 2005). This person is usually the one to develop the most health issues, whether physical or mental. The mental weight that comes with caring for and being a relative of a person with schizophrenia has been
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In the case of schizophrenia, the illness will affect the family dynamic, which will in turn influence health and illness, which will again affect the family dynamic, and so on. A circular dynamic that may be found in families going through the first phase of the patient’s schizophrenia may play out like this: a) the patient’s initial symptoms and changes come about, withdrawal from friends and family, irritability or depressed mood, which lead to b) family becomes angry and stressed because they don’t understand patient’s change in behavior, leading to c) family puts pressure on patient to go back to normal, going back to a) the patient, condition worsens, schizophrenia becomes more developed, hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech and behavior, influencing b) the family’s overall mood becomes more stressed and worried, affecting c) the patient’s illness, and so on. This never-ending cycle may become even bigger, or it may also become a small part of a larger circular dynamic. For example, all the stress and worry the mother puts on due to her son’s illness may cause her to develop depression and even a heart condition. This will definitely change the family circular dynamic because it will affect the husband and the patient, which will influence their own mental and physical health, which will again affect the mother’s health. For this reason, it is important to change the circular dynamic to a positive
In the case of schizophrenia, the illness will affect the family dynamic, which will in turn influence health and illness, which will again affect the family dynamic, and so on. A circular dynamic that may be found in families going through the first phase of the patient’s schizophrenia may play out like this: a) the patient’s initial symptoms and changes come about, withdrawal from friends and family, irritability or depressed mood, which lead to b) family becomes angry and stressed because they don’t understand patient’s change in behavior, leading to c) family puts pressure on patient to go back to normal, going back to a) the patient, condition worsens, schizophrenia becomes more developed, hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech and behavior, influencing b) the family’s overall mood becomes more stressed and worried, affecting c) the patient’s illness, and so on. This never-ending cycle may become even bigger, or it may also become a small part of a larger circular dynamic. For example, all the stress and worry the mother puts on due to her son’s illness may cause her to develop depression and even a heart condition. This will definitely change the family circular dynamic because it will affect the husband and the patient, which will influence their own mental and physical health, which will again affect the mother’s health. For this reason, it is important to change the circular dynamic to a positive