Summary: The Family Of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that causes an individual to change his or her personality. This illness affects many adults, however there have been some previous studies on schizophrenia in adolescents. Schizophrenia is a dark and twisted thing to see when you witness it in a movie, but would a parent be able to fulfill the duties of taking care of their schizophrenic son or daughter if this situation arose? An article viewed by many scholars, "Schizophrenia in Adolescents and the Family System," was compared to a magazine article, "The Family of Schizophrenia,” and great contrast was noticed. In “Schizophrenia in Adolescents and the Family System” by Swietochowski, it was interpreted that family members are the problem and can …show more content…
This may be because she is a doctor in psychology, but since there is no study conducted the information is capable of being bias. Also, there is no question to be answered and no opposing points about families aiding in the schizophrenic’s life; Olson strictly states what she knows about a family helping an individual with schizophrenia. It is clear the purpose of the article is to inform the reader of many ways a family and its member can help aid individuals with a mental illness go about their life. However, unlike the article by Swietochowski, Olson talks about more elaborate ways the family can help. Being able to interfere before negative behaviors come up and being able to differentiate if the schizophrenic is a hazard to them self or those around them are only some of the things the previous article failed to mention, but how would you be able to measure these actions on a questionnaire. Another thing mentioned in the article is family involvement. According to Olson, “Family involvement and acceptance, in particular, may ameliorate much of this tragedy,” referring to the diagnosis of schizophrenia (Olson). She also states that under these circumstances the diagnosis process can be bearable for not only the patient, but the family as …show more content…
She stated the woman had been working with a psychiatric social worker after a hazardous relapse put her in a hospital. It was then that this client of Olson’s stated, “She felt loved based upon her families concern for her. She had never experienced this kind of validation.” The client had felt this way because her family had come to talk to this psychiatric social worker with her, about her, and this schizophrenic woman had never felt her life was appreciated. The words of Olson’s client make it clear that the family can truly aid in the schizophrenic’s life, even as an adult. Although, if we do follow what the author has made apparent there may be greater conflict among the family and the ill minded individual because some circumstance and situations are harder than others. This may make getting along and feeling loved harder for the individual with schizophrenia. In conclusion, if someone does not consider what the author has made clear to us, then trying to care for the schizophrenic family member can be a lot harder. He or she would not have the knowledge on how to properly get along with and care for the ill minded individual without taking away their