Family Therapy for Schizophrenia
Family psychotherapy is an important aspect in the treatment of Schizophrenia. In general, the goal of psychotherapy is to build a collaborative relationship between the patient, family, and doctor or psychologist. Through psychotherapy, the patient is helped to socialize with their environment. Family and friends are the ones that are also very instrumental in helping patients to socialize. In the case of acute schizophrenia, patients should receive special treatment from the hospital. If necessary, he should stay in the hospital for some time so that the doctors can do with regular control and ensure the safety of patients.
But in fact, the most important is the support of the patient's family, because if this support is not obtained, the patient is not likely to experience hallucinations returned. According to Dadang, a number of people with schizophrenia also often recur even after completion of therapy for six months. Therefore, in order to hallucinations did not reappear, then the patient should continue to communicate with reality. However, the family also should not exaggerate in treating patients with schizophrenia.
According to dr. LS Chandra, SpKJ, schizophrenic patients requires attention and empathy, but the family needs to avoid being Expressed Emotion (EE) or an overreaction as overly critical attitude, indulgent, and too controlling who can actually complicate healing.
All family members should play a role in the effort to support for people with schizophrenia. Efforts to form a self help group among families who have family members with schizophrenia is a positive step (Arif, 2006).
Discussant group serves as a group therapy for the treatment of schizophrenia. According to the authors, the provision of group therapy in patients with schizophrenia are less precise. The main reason is the usual group therapy used in the rehabilitation process of drug addicts (the healing process). The basic concept is group therapy mediation problems in groups, group dynamics, or outbound (with individuals who are having the same problem).
How could the schizophrenics could do things over?
Discussant group presents some of the following on group therapy:
- Provide education about schizophrenia, including symptoms and signs of recurrence.
- Provide information about and monitor the effects of treatment with antipsychotics.
- Avoid blaming each other in the family.
- Improve communication and problem solving skills in the family.
- Encourage patients and families to develop their social contacts, especially related to the support network.
- Raising hopes that everything is improved, and the patient may not have to go back to the hospital.
Points 3, 4, and 5 is actually part of the process of family therapy. So maybe there is still confusion in the group of discussants on the basic concept of group therapy and family therapy.