Psychiatric disability in chronic schizophrenia and affective disorder: A comparative study

Abstract

Introduction: Psychiatric disability has emerged to be an increasingly important area of research.  Persons with chronic illness, including long-term psychiatric illness do face a lot of difficulties, hardship, and rehabilitation issues, especially while planning intervention programs for persons with affective disorder. Aim: To assess the psychiatric disability in persons with schizophrenia (PWS) and affective disorder patients. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study design A total number of 60 persons with mental illness were taken for the study, under which 20 persons with Schizophrenia (10 males and 10 females), 20 persons with Mania (10 males and 10 females), and 20 persons with Depression (10 males and 10 females). These patients were selected using the purposive random sampling technique. Samples were taken from Tertiary Care Mental Health Institution. Tools used;1.Socio-demographic data sheet, information related to age, sex, education, duration of illness, diagnosis, family history, and psychiatric history.2. Psychiatric Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO) was used to assess the social functioning of the patient with mental disorder. Statistical Analysis: To find out the psychiatric disability in chronic schizophrenic and affective patients, percentages were calculated. Result: Persons with schizophrenia had shown maximum dysfunctions as compared to persons with depression and mania.  In some areas, persons with mania show maximum dysfunctions followed by persons with schizophrenia and depression. Persons with depression had shown maximum dysfunctions in the area of conversation, social withdrawal, and leisure interest as compared to persons with schizophrenia and mania.

Keywords: Psychiatric disability, schizophrenia, affective disorder