Wiedza pacjentów ze schizofrenią dotycząca rozpoznania objawów zwiastujących nawrót choroby

Introduction: Schizophrenia is one of the most severe mental disorders. It is characterized by a chronic course, diverse clinical image, and it often leads to incapacity. The course and severity of the disease may vary, while the appearing symptoms constitute a turning point in patient’s and his family’s life. This is why it is important to recognise the symptoms and undertake therapeutic measures. The reoccurrence of the disease does not appear suddenly. Usually it is preceded by the period of various changes in patient’s behaviour and feelings. Those changes are called the warning signs of a relapse. The aim of this research was to learn about patients’ knowledge of schizophrenia, the consequences of not following the doctor’s orders and the warning signs of a relapse. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 69 patients from Mental Health Clinic in Bielsko-Biała. For the purpose of this MA thesis the method of diagnostic survey was used. The survey included authorial questionnaire consisting of 30 structured questions with the possibility of giving one or more answers. Results and conclusions: In the course of the conducted research obtained the results which indicated the high level of studied patients’ knowledge of schizophrenia, its symptoms and the warning signs of a relapse as well as ways of treatment. The examined people expressed the awareness that following doctor’s orders may significantly decrease the risk of relapse. The most relevant issue concerning the acceptance of a disease, the level of patients’ awareness of a disease and systematic compliance with the recommendations of medical staff were enumerated. Most respondents experienced a relapse, despite their declared knowledge of relapse prevention methods. Side effects of used medicines were the frequent cause of treatment discontinuation. The patients indicated contact with medical staff as the main source of broadening their knowledge. Psychiatry 2020; 17, 4: 186–195