Relatives group

Relatives groups are discussion groups in which relatives of mentally or somatically ill patients receive support. They are often offered by psychiatric clinics , social psychiatric services , welfare organizations and similar associations and foundations.

to form

In addition to diagnostic focuses (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, cancer, alcoholism, diabetes, dementia), groups of relatives can also be formally differentiated according to the degree of expert or relatives dominance. In groups with a strong relative dominance there are thematic overlaps with family therapy , so individual interactional processes are in the foreground. Expert dominance marks groups with a focus on conveying information .

Therapeutic relatives groups

Under the guidance of an expert, the following goals can be worked out:

Conveyance of understanding for the patient and his illness-related situation.
Detection and improvement of difficult interaction patterns in dealing with the patient and his illness.
Reduction of helplessness, feelings of guilt and shame and an excessive sense of responsibility.
Inclusion of relatives in therapy through education in clinical treatment strategies.
Teaching crisis management skills.

Dependents support groups

Family self-help groups take place largely without expert support. The focus here is on the individual exchange of experiences, mutual support and the emotional relief through contact with people in a comparable situation. Social-political activities to represent interests can also be the content of family self-help groups.

effectiveness

There are numerous effectiveness studies on the thematically different groups of relatives. In summary, the results show a reduction in the patient's symptoms, a reduced risk of relapse and a reduction in family tensions.

Individual evidence

↑ W. Buchkremer et al .: Therapeutic work with relatives of schizophrenic patients: Rational concept and practical guidance. In: Psychiatric Practice . tape 14 , 1987, pp. 73-77 .
↑ ^a ^b H.-J. Möller, G. Laux, H.-P. Kapfhammer (ed.): Psychiatry and psychotherapy . 2nd Edition. Springer-Verlag, 2007, ISBN 978-3-540-27386-8 .

[1] W. Buchkremer et al .: Therapeutic work with relatives of schizophrenic patients: Rational concept and practical guidance. In: Psychiatric Practice . tape 14 , 1987, pp. 73-77 .

[:0-2] H.-J. Möller, G. Laux, H.-P. Kapfhammer (ed.): Psychiatry and psychotherapy . 2nd Edition. Springer-Verlag, 2007, ISBN 978-3-540-27386-8 .