Impact on families

A diagnosis of schizophrenia not only affects individuals directly, but also has significant implications for their closest relatives.

Family members of individuals with schizophrenia may experience various types of burden, particularly during acute phases of the illness. Burden can be observed in objective ways, such as the severity of the illness or financial implications, as well as subjective ways, such as the emotional toll the illness takes on family members (The Schizophrenia Commission, 2015)