[Persons suffering from schizophrenia and relapses].

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience

Context:

• Relapse is a frequent complication in schizophrenia, affecting over half of patients within two years of a first episode.
• Limited information exists regarding the lived experiences of schizophrenia relapse for both patients and their relatives.
• Understanding these experiences is crucial for improving patient care and support systems.

Purpose:

• To investigate the experiences of schizophrenia relapse from the perspectives of patients and their relatives.
• To assess patient and relative perceptions of relapse causes, hospitalization, and prevention strategies.
• To explore attitudes towards different treatment modalities, including injectable antipsychotics, for relapse prevention.

Summary:

• A national survey of 316 schizophrenia outpatients and 82 relatives revealed that while most found hospitalization useful, a significant number struggled with treatment compliance.
• Patients and relatives expressed strong motivation to avoid relapse, yet often underestimated the link between compliance and relapse.
• Injectable antipsychotics were viewed favorably by relatives and many patients, perceived as reassuring and easier to manage for compliance.

Impact:

• This research enhances the understanding of schizophrenia relapse's impact on patients and families, emphasizing their desire for relapse prevention.
• Findings underscore the critical role of compliance and the need for improved patient and relative education on its connection to relapse.
• The study highlights the complex, multi-faceted nature of schizophrenia management, requiring collaborative efforts from all stakeholders.