Social functioning and the quality of life of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction: Schizophrenia to a considerably great degree impairs the social functioning of the persons affected in the spheres of interpersonal and occupational contacts, as well as self-care. It brings about serious cognitive, perceptual, motor and emotional deficits, inevitably leading to the social withdrawal of patients. This phenomenon may assume various forms, from the limitations in interpersonal relations, through narrowing these relations to only some circumstances, to the total cessation of social contacts.

Objective: The objective of the study is presentation of the most important problems related with social functioning and quality of life of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, based on scientific studies conducted in Poland and worldwide.

State of knowledge: The family of a schizophrenia patient exerts a great effect on the social functioning. While undertaking proper actions the family may become a co-therapist and significantly facilitate the patient's adjustment to life in society and his/her playing a specified role. Analysis of disorders in social functioning of patients with schizophrenia, in the context of social cognition, indicates the fact that these disorders have their source in the lack of capabilities for identification of own and other people's internal states, whereas mentalization is the essence of social cognition.

Conclusions: Therapy, any psychosocial impact as well as rehabilitation, neutralizes the causes for patients' withdrawal from social life. Training of social skills is necessary which teaches patients to return to the situation when they would be able to function properly in their environment.

Keywords: family; mental illness; psychosis; remission; social cognition.