Page No.257-263
R. Kannappan
Vinayaka Mission’s Medical College, Salem
Schizophrenia is a disabling, chronic psychiatric disorder that poses numerous
challenges in its management and consequences. The present study assessed
the impact of two groups, one with medications, and the other group with
medications and psychosocial management. Qualitative research method of
assessment was used to observe whether the patients had change in their
symptoms, distress, and family burdens. To capture the effect of different kinds of
intervention, qualitative research method was adopted. Focus group discussion
was conducted with the two groups subjected to different kinds of intervention and
it was properly documented for analysis. The main aim of the discussion was to
investigate the effect of psychotropic medications and also the effect of psychotropic
medications with psychosocial program. The focus groups were held at confidential
settings inside the hospital. The findings were validated by presenting them to the
patients. It is interesting to observe that the symptoms of schizophrenia such as
delusions, hallucinations, confused thinking and speech, bizarre or disorganized
behavior, self-neglect, and inappropriate emotions were reduced in the groups.
The salient highlights in the focus group discussions are that the group which
underwent the combined pharmacotherapy and family psychosocial intervention
was benefited much more since they expressed that they had increased coping
ability in their quality of life. It can be inferred that patients who had schizophrenia
were definitely benefited with the interventions in reducing the severity of symptoms
of schizophrenia. However the method of intervention which took care of treatment
with family psychosocial intervention was much more effective in bringing about
symptomatic and functional recovery and about change in their distress, work, and
burden of the careers