Family psychoeducation

Involve families in the education and treatment plans, since family psychoeducation may decrease relapse, improve symptomatology, and enhance psychosocial and family outcomes.47... 

Hoggarty, G.E., Anderson, C.M., Reiss, D.J., Kornblith, S.J., Green-wald, D.P., Javna, C.D., and Madonia, M.J. (1986) Family psychoeducation, social skills training and maintenance chemotherapy in the aftercare treatment of schizophrenia. I. One-year effects of a controlled study on relapse and expressed emotions. Arch Gen Psychiatry 43 633-642. 

McFarlane WR, Dixon L, Lukens E, Lucksted A. 2003. Family psychoeducation and schizophrenia A review of the literature. J Marital Fam Ther 29(2) 223-245. 

Sherman MD, Glynn SM, Cohen AN, Dixon LB, Niv N. 2006. Updates and five-year evaluation of the SA..F.E. program A family psychoeducational program for serious mental illness. Commun Mental Health J 42(2) 213-219. 

Overall, the relapse rate for schizophrenic patients provided family psychoeducation has hovered around 15% per year, compared to a consistent 30-40% for individual therapy and medication or medication alone. It is important to note that medication is not a variable in these studies the design of family psychoeducational approaches has medication adherence and its value in promoting recovery as a central element. Therefore, medication is provided in both the experimental and control conditions in every instance. (McFarlane et ah, 2002, pp. 229-230)... 

In this book we have focused treatment discussions on psychotropic medications. But bear in mind that however remarkable the advances in drug therapy may be, the traditional knowledge and skills of psychotherapy practice remain vitally important. In fact, research suggests that an ideal treatment often occurs when both psychotherapy and psychotropic medications are part of the treatment plan. In addition, services and interventions that enhance social support, such as group therapy, family psychoeducation, and Internet chat groups, are often critical to the success of the therapy. 

Psychotherapy is not only possible but can be very productive with the bipolar patient. Miklowitz (1996), in addressing combined psyAotherapy and medication treatment for bipolar disorder, offers a comprehensive and detailed description of two approaches, family psychoeducation and individual therapy. The latter incorporates elements of interpersonal therapy for affective disorders with strategies to stabilize social rhythms. However, the therapist must be skilled at identifying symptoms of hypomania, mania, and depression, and the necessity for medication adjustment referrals. The therapist can be tested especially by the effects of medication noncompliance, when symptoms return and judgment and insight diminish. 

Thorough patient and family psychoeducation should occur, including education about the illness, symptoms, prognosis, medication, psychosocial treatments, and methods to improve adaptive functioning. 

Miklowitz DJ, Simoneau TL, George EL, Richards JA, Kalbag A, Sachs-Ericsson N and Suddath R (2000). Family focused treatment of bipolar disorder 1 year effects of a psychoeducational programme in conjunction with pharmacotherapy. Biological Psychiatry, 48, 582-592. 

The ongoing treatment plan should (1) monitor target symptoms (2) evaluate efficacy and need for additional interventions (3) include ongoing, supportive contact with the family, school, and patient (4) continue psychoeducation and (5) suggest school and/or educational interventions (see Table 31.1). 

Psychoeducation of the patient and family is required to avoid the development of hopelessness in both the patient and family, and the clinician. Comparing these strategies with other treatments of medical disorders can be useful to help patients and their families understand the medication plan and to improve compliance with and tolerance of treatment. In this instance the example of hypertension is appropriate diuretics may be used alone, or combined with other antihypertensives in different trials, according to response. 

The optimal treatment of aggressive youths requires the involvement of multiple professionals and agencies. Interventions include healthy peer activities, supportive adults, removal of weapons from the home, abstinence from substances, psychoeducation, individual and cognitive behavioral therapy, group and family therapies, school-based interventions, multisys-temic therapy, anger management techniques, and psychopharmacology. 

Providing community support and psychoeducation for the patient and family, as well as involving school personnel, can help in monitoring for signs of dangerousness, relapse, medication noncompliance, and substance abuse. Tight treatment team communication minimizes the likelihood of aggressive behavior. 

Like many other psychiatric and medical disorders, bipolar disorder is not curable, but it is certainly treatable. Its clinical symptoms can be controlled, modified, and even silenced. Successful treatment must combine drug therapy, psychotherapy, and psychoeducation. More and more frequently, treatment is provided by a team that, at a minimnm, includes a physician—usually a psychiatrist—and a therapist. Whenever possible, treatment should involve the patient s immediate family (sponse, parents, and children). Although medication is the core intervention, it is widely recognized that a number of psychological variables can inflnence the course of the disorder and the patient s adherence to treatment. 

The most effective treatment for schizophrenia incorporates a multidisciplinary approach in which antipsychotic medications are a necessary but insufficient component. Medication must be complemented by specific psychotherapy modalities, including family therapy, skills training, psychoeducation, supportive intervention, vocational training, and self-help groups. 

Psychoeducation for family members can increase the patient s compliance with taking the medications. 

Psychoeducation about bipolar disorder, treatment, and monitoring for the patient and family... 

Brennan, J. W. (1995). A short-term psychoeducational multiple-family group for bipolar patients and their families. Social Work, 40, 737-744. 

Short term (immediate) Medication Prevent access to cannabis Baseline observations/tests Physical health Psychoeducation Hospital admission Facilitate family contact... 

When working with a person s family and friends, you can mediate, psychoeducate and signpost to carers groups. 

Extend psychoeducation to Denise s family and friends. If they understand depression as a real illness, legitimately needing support and treatment, they ll be more likely to support her. Mind... 

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