Psychosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Psychosis, including details on clinical depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.

Developing services for the carers of young adults with early-onset psychosis--listening to their experiences and needs.

Sin J, Moone N, Wellman N

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust & Thames Valley University, Reading, UK. jacqueline@urbanfuture.org

The care-giving experience of carers of young adults with early onset psychosis is relatively unexplored. New carers are less likely to be engaged with local services for carers and families, than those more established in their caring role. Understanding the experience of these carers provides some valuable insight into the value of caring and in guiding service development. This paper reports on a study designed to explore carers' experiences of caring for a young adult diagnosed with a first psychotic episode and their needs in relation to the development of an early intervention for psychosis service. A phenomenological approach was used. Eleven carers were given a semi-structured interview in their own homes. All of the carers in the study had a son with early onset psychosis. The outcome revealed that all carers were providing a comprehensive range of practical, emotional and financial support for their son including initiating and sustaining engagement between them and local mental health services. Many carers were felt to be invisible and silent partners in care and felt under-valued by mental health services.

Published 16 September 2005 in J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs, 12(5): 589-97.
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