The Caregiver’s Burden Among Patients With Bipolar Affective Disorder And Alcohol Dependence Syndrome - A Comparative Study Thota Virinchi1, Post graduate, Seshamma V.V.2, Professor and HOD 1Department of Psychiatry, Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore, A.P., 2Department of Psychiatry, Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore, A.P. ABSTRACT: Burden is defined as the presence of problems, difficulties or adverse events which affect the lives of the psychiatric patient’s caregivers.Families of patients with mental illness face stigmatization, economic and emotional burden of taking care of the patient. Illness in the patient has an impact on the work, social relationship and leisure activities of family members. This evokes different feelings in the family members, which can have an impact on the course and prognosis.The present study is to compare the burden on caregivers of patients with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) and alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS). The present study is a cross-sectional hospital-based comparative study which is conducted in in-patient department of Psychiatry, Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore, A.P. Study period is from April 2017 to March 2018. The study sample consisted of 50 patients with BPAD and their caregivers, 50 patients with ADS and their caregivers. The tools used are Family burden interview schedule (FBIS), Severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire (SADQ), ICD-10 criteria for diagnosis. Statistical analysis was done using the chi-square test.Caregivers of BPAD and ADS patients experienced significant burden but there is no statistically significant difference (p values= 0.013) in the burden experienced by them. In caregivers of BPAD, the burden is more in depressive patients than in maniac patients and the correlation is statistically significant. The burden was significantly more with caregivers of severe ADS patients than in mild and moderate ADS patients the study suggests the need for sensitization of psychiatrists to evaluate and treat the caregivers of patients with any psychiatric illness like BPAD and ADS. Top |