Comparison of Patients with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Substance Use Disorder in Terms of Family Burden

The aim of this study was to compare the family burden of relatives of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorder. In this study, 50 patients diagnosed with substance use disorder, 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, and 50 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria were included. A total of 150 caregivers were included, 50 for each group. Caregivers had been providing continuous care to patients for at least 1 year. Along with a semi-structured sociodemographic data form, the Addiction Profile Index for patients diagnosed with substance use disorder, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for patients with schizophrenia, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Young Mania Rating Scale for patients with bipolar disorder were administered. Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale and Family Assessment Device were administered to patient caregivers. The mean Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale score of the group with substance use disorder was found to be significantly higher than the bipolar disorder and schizophrenia groups (p = .001). There was no significant difference between the bipolar disorder and schizophrenia groups in terms of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (p > .05). Substance use disorder can cause more family burden than other chronic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.