Objective: Lack of insight into illness of patients with schizophrenia is often a big problem for relatives. Therefore, information was collected on how relatives assess the patients' insight into illness and their current treatment situation. This assessment was compared with the relatives' feelings of well-being.
Methods: Questionnaire-assisted exploration of 84 relatives, who participated in an information session about lack of insight into illness.
Results: 73 % of patients had a lack of insight into illness according to their relatives. Of these, 79 % were male, the mean duration of inpatient treatment was 12 months, 56 % used an antipsychotic medication and 80 % were "quite/very ill". Of the patients with insight into illness, 45 % were male (p < 0.01), the duration of inpatient treatment was significantly longer (29 months; p < 0.05), 86 % used antipsychotics (p < 0.05) and only 42 % were judged as "quite/very ill" (p < 0.01). Only 49 % of relatives from the first group, but 67 % of relatives from the second group described their feelings of well-being as "very good / good" (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The lack of insight into illness requires greater scientific attention in order to develop better treatment options along with greater relief for relatives.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.New York.