Participation in the community and quality of life of people living with schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a persistent mental disorder/illness. The development of psychiatry as a separate area of medicine started in late eighteenth century. The approach was to keep people living with schizophrenia in institutions. The interest was to protect community from people living with schizophrenia. The treatment for mental illness has a long history. It traversed from the period of witchcraft, isolation and physical restraining to a humanistic approach. Mental health services in India started as part of philanthropic concerns. Over a period of time it turned into a professional service. The history of Indian psychiatry gives a picture of ongoing struggle to provide accessible and affordable mental health services to people living with mental illness. It was after independence mental health care and people living with mental illness got a significant place in health policy. Treatment plans for schizophrenia includes pharmacotherapy and psychosocial rehabilitation. Treatment plan is designed as per the requirements of the person living with schizophrenia. It is chosen on the basis of severity of symptoms and extent of impairments in various areas of functioning. The present study explores the various facets of participation of people living with schizophrenia in their community. It delves into the perception of people living with schizophrenia regarding the various aspects that contribute to their quality of life. The aim of psychosocial rehabilitation is to restore these functional abilities and skills. The burden of schizophrenia on individual, family, and society is higher compared to any other physical and mental illness.