Psychiatric Disorders Run in Families. Children of Parents With Serious Mental Disorders: A Case History

Abstract

Aims/method

Publications and studies have shown that the existence of serious mental disorders in parents is a risk in the development of children and is more common the existence of mental illness in them than in the general pediatric population. This work aims to reflect in depth on the study of the influence of psychotic parents on child development through a review of a clinical study. We present the case of 14 years old adolescent who is being treated in a mental health center, whose parents suffers from a severe mental illness. We also defend the importance of a preventive approach or treatment that impinges on the child and family environment.

Results/conclusions

A way of community work, in coordination with the different teams (social services, educational services, etc.) allows more efficient and appropriate treatment, using various resources. When risk factors for developing mental health problems in childhood, family history and especially the existence of one or both parents of mentally pathology type schizophrenia or other psychoses are studied become important. It seems essential to address as a priority to the social group have called “high-risk group of psychosis’, and in particular to the” sons of patients diagnosed with psychosis”, both for its size and the severity and chronicity of psychopathology if developing means for early psychosocial care does not occur.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.