Anxiety, Depression and Burden in Caregivers of Psychotic Patients on Treatment

BACKGROUND: Psychotic disorders are a major group in psychiatric disorders causing psychological turmoil to both family and society. Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia comprise the two major groups of psychotic disorders. These disorders are mostly chronic, requiring long term treatment along with family and social support. The caregivers of these patients play a pivotal role in supporting the patients medically, emotionally and financially. So, there is a need to identify burden and emotional aspects in the caregivers of psychotic patients.

AIMS: 1. To assess the burden perceived by caregivers of psychotic patients (bipolar disorder and schizophrenia) receiving, medical treatment.

2. To assess the anxiety, stress and depression in the caregivers of psychotic patients.

 3. To compare the burden, anxiety, stress, depression between caregivers of patients suffering from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

METHODS: The Caregivers of the patients suffering from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia diagnosed as per ICD-10 are assessed by Burden Assessment Scale (BAS) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS).The results of both the groups are compared.

RESULTS: Care givers of 96 psychotic patients had mean scores of burden assessment 74.34(S.D 10.92), anxiety 3.52(4.75), stress7.97 (7.08) depression 14.27(10.11).

Bipolar disorder group had burden assessment score of 72.02(S.D10.69), anxiety score of 3.55(S.D 4.9), stress score of 10.91(S.D 8.2) and depression score of 14.86(S.D 9.74).

Caregivers of schizophrenia had mean scores of burden assessment 76.41(S.D 10.79), anxiety 3.49(S.D4.66). stress score of 5.39(S.D 4.64) and depression scores of 13.7(S.D 10.52).

CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers of both schizophrenia as well as bipolar disorder group scored high scores on burden assessment scale suggesting burden load in caring for the patients. Caregivers of schizophrenia group scored more in burden scores and bipolar disorder group scored more in stress scale of DASS. Both groups scored on the criteria for mild depression of DASS

KEY MESSAGE: Caregiver’s burden, their anxiety and depressive symptoms must be addressed along with the pharmacological treatment of the patients with psychotic disorders. Caregivers of bipolar disorders patients also perceive burden.