The experience with acute psychotic symptoms: perception of family <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Objective: This investigation had as objective understand the relatives’ experiences in the acute state of psychotic character in a member of the family group.
Métodos: It is a research of qualitative nature, descriptive and exploratory of the type case study. The subject of the study were family of people attacked by psychotic upset, interned in the Unit Hospitalar resident e/ou in the Therapeutic Home of the Instituto Cyro Martins of Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul. The collection of data was accomplished through semi-structured interview and registrations of information in field diary. The analysis of the obtained data followed the methodological proposal of Minayo (2001). In the accomplishment of this study, the ethical precepts were respected extolled by the Resolution 196/96 of ministry of Health. The research project was approved by the Committee of Ethics of UNIJUÍ.
Results and conclusions: Starting from the analysis of the data, we identified the repercussions in the family due to the sharp psychotic symptoms of one of the members of the family group, for the fact of this to be attacked by a mental upset. It is ended that the relatives need of attention and of support on the part of the institutions of health, as strategy to the challenges from “the taking care” of a psychotic mental patient.
KEY WORDS: MENTAL DISORDERS; LIFE CHANGE EVENTS; FAMILY RELATIONS; PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS.