SCHIZOPHRENIA FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF THE F AMILY MEMBERS

After a short history of the origin of Schizophrenia Fellowships throu ghout the world, the difficulties besetting an efficient management of the disease are mentioned. Some of them arise from the characteristic features of the disease and the still awaited understanding of the et iology. Further serious obstacles arose from the century-old discrimin ation against the mentally ill, simplistic theories on the etiology of the disease, misuse and discouragement of drug treatment, discreditin g of psychiatric hospitals and the lack of legislation to provide the patient with the right to competent treatment and rehabilitation. The families of schizophrenic patients expect maximum help from humane car ing for the patient, with absence of psychological theories, intensive research into the biological causes of the disease, and a change in l egislation respecting the possibilities of modern treatment. Families are not in need of treatment but of proper information, practical advi ce, unflagging support and cooperation between patients, family member s, therapists and psychiatric institutions. As a compensation for thei r contribution to caring for the patient they would appreciate a well functioning emergency service to manage critical situations and the ab olition of unnecessary obstacles to competent treatment. Only successf ul investigation of the causes of the disease can bring a fundamental therapeutic improvement.