Comparative Study of Family Burden and Quality of Life of Close Caretakers of Patients of Schizophrenia and Drug Addiction

Schizophrenia and drug addiction, in its most form is serve and usually long lasting, causing maximum disability. The burden of care on the family members of patients with schizophrenia and drug addiction become much more compared to other mental disorders. The present study was mainly aimed at understanding that Schizophrenia and drug addiction can also affect the quality of life and the health of the family members. For this 60 schizophrenic patients and 60 drug addict patients diagnosed as per ICD-10 criteria with at least two years duration of illness were identifiedin District Mental Health Programme, kurukshetra. The close care takers of family members of these patients were studied by administering the scale of family burden(Family Burden Schedule) and Quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). The result of study have revealed that longer the duration of illness greater the overall burden. The illness of patients also significantly effects the quality of life of close care taling members of the family. The study has shed significant light on family and social consequences of schizophrenia and drug addiction.