LONDON, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A survey of 982 family caregivers, 200 from the United States, finds interrupting medication for a mentally ill family member has devastating results.
"One in 17 Americans suffer from serious mental illnesses worldwide. When you consider all of the parents, siblings, spouses and children connected to these individuals, you see how far the shadow of serious mental illness is cast," said Preston J. Garrison, secretary-general and chief executive officer of the World Federation for Mental Health.
"This survey shows that many caregivers have experienced both the chaos of their loved one's relapse and the relief that comes with stabilization."
The Keeping Care Complete survey reveals the devastating consequences of relapse, defined as the worsening of symptoms after apparent recovery, and sheds light on a desire among caregivers for doctors to focus on long-term care rather than managing crisis situations, according to Garrison.
Independent market research company Ipsos conducted the survey of caregivers in the United States, as well as in Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
