SCHIZOPHRENIA: A SIBLING'S TALE

Kirby, Stephan

Stephan Kirby is a senior lecturer in forensic mental health at the University of Teesside

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Leanne Bowman was a nursing student at the University of Teesside at the time of writing this article. She is now a staff nurse working on an acute inpatient unit at Tees, Esk and Wear Valley's NHS Trust

Ms Bowman's brother has consented to this article being published

Mental Health Practice 13(1):p 18-22, September 2009.

A diagnosis of psychosis can have a devastating effect on close family members of the person concerned. Stephan Kirby introduces Leanne Bowman's account of living with a brother who was diagnosed with schizophrenia five years ago

Summary

Stephan Kirby suggests that mental health professionals need a greater insight into the effects a diagnosis of serious mental illness has on family members. Leanne Bowman's account explains how her brother's diagnosis was received and how living with him since then has introduced new challenges to her life.