Caring for people with depression or with schizophrenia: are the consequences different?

Attention to caregiver consequences has been mainly restricted to caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. The few studies done in depression were conducted on small samples and/or with non-validated instruments. Caregiver consequences in depression and schizophrenia were measured with the validated Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ). IEQ scores of caregivers of 252 mainly outpatients with depression and caregivers of 151 mainly outpatients with schizophrenia were compared. IEQ scores were quite similar for depression and schizophrenia. Caregivers of patients with schizophrenia worry more and have more nursing tasks; in case of depression caregivers experience more tension between spouses. In case of many consequences caregivers live close to a patient who has more acute symptoms. They have more additional expenses on behalf of the patient, and report higher distress scores. In case of depression caregivers report less social support, and less coping abilities. Caregiver consequences of depression and schizophrenia are very similar. Differences reflect the context in which caregiving takes place: In schizophrenia mostly elderly mother caring for their ill (adult) child, in depression mostly spouses caring for their partner. Caregivers of patients with depression should be given more attention and support by professionals.