Mother of courage

Abstract

Background:

Parents of mentally ill patients are stigmatized by the disease of their ill family members, emotionally, socially and physically burdened. Authors are presenting a case report of a mother of 23 year old schizophrenic daughter, who started to attend support groups for families of mentally ill persons almost two years ago.

Aim:

To investigate whether the joining to the association for families of mentally ill persons and regular attending to its programs (psycho educative lectures, support groups), would enable the mother of a patient with schizophrenia to re-establish her psychic balance by reducing high expressed emotion.

Methods:

psychological test PIE (The profile index of emotions) three times during 18 months

Results:

PIE tests showed reduced high expressed emotions (fear, sorrow and anger). Mother turned from the depressive position in life and started to work positively with her daughter's illness, started to motivate other parents, and started to help them with her advice. She became one of the founders of the Society for Improvement of Mental Health and Quality of Life of Mentally Ill Persons and Their Families “Happy Family”, Croatia, where she is now a member of the Organizational board and is an accountant.

Conclusion:

An active role in association for mentally ill persons re-established the psychic balance in this mother, changing her to a powerful, strong and competent person who not only can cope positively with her daughter's disease but also is able to help other parents in the same situation.