Assessment of Caregiver Burden in Psychiatric Patients

This study aims to assess the prevalence of caregiver burden in psychiatric illnesses, assessing gender differences in caregiver burden, correlating the duration of psychiatric symptoms& relationship of caregiver with patient, to the severity of burden.45 caregivers of patients with psychiatric illness were assessed on Zarit caregiver Burden interview scale& Dass 42 scale. Caregiver burden was prevalent in all patients, with greater burden perceived by females than by males. Longer duration of illnesses were associated with greater burden perceived. Parents of patients and spouses experienced greater burden followed by the children& siblings respectively.