Psychosis and the family: the role of family interventions

The development of psychotic illness exerts a significant impact on the affected individual but will also affect, in a variety of ways, their family and social networks. Although psychotic conditions are severe mental health problems, they are treatable, and family care and support play an important role in helping to achieve better recovery outcomes. In its first half, this chapter provides an overview of the impact of psychosis on family carers and the close relationship that exists between family wellbeing and patient outcomes, including the relevance of expressed emotion. The second half of the chapter offers an outline of family interventions—the psychological talking therapies designed to help individuals living with psychosis and their families to improve their understanding of the illness, develop skills in positive communication, problem-solving and coping, and identify appropriate support pathways. The evidence base underpinning the interventions and future developments in working with families is also discussed.