[Psychoeducational groups for families of in-patients with affective disorder]

Experiences with psychoeducational groups have been extensively reported for schizophrenic patients and their families. For patients with affective disorders, however, only a few publications exist. We describe results and conclusions for clinical practice with a type of psychoeducational group that addresses family members of in-patients treated at a specialized depression ward. The group sessions are every other week and we try to take up the questions asked by the attenders in order to concentrate on their personal needs.

Protocols of 40 group sessions over 18 months were analysed concerning attendance figures, degree of relatedness to the patient, main topics and questions, and emotional condition of the participants.

The 40 group sessions were attended by 400 participants (mean = 10; median = 9). About 50 % of them were spouses. For the other family members, there was a clear association between female patients and female attenders. Main question was how to deal with the patient, at present and after discharge. With regard to the emotional state, 23 % were under strain themselves, 7 % were skeptical and 23 % could be described as relieved.

This kind of group reaches a considerable number of family members, who in general highly appreciate these sessions. The therapeutic team also benefits from enlarging their knowledge by including the relatives' perspective. Therefore, the effort for preparing and holding the group session seems to be justified and rewarding. To our opinion, good attendance figures can be reached by personal invitation of the relatives and by being flexible and oriented towards their needs.