Subjective well-being and coping among people with schizophrenia and epilepsy

Background: Schizophrenia and epilepsy are chronic and distressing disorders reported to occur together in a high percentage of patients. Consequently, people with schizophrenia and epilepsy are robbed of the opportunities that define a quality life: good jobs, safe housing, satisfactory health care and affiliation with a diverse group of people that may lead to decreased subjective well-being and poor coping resources and capability. There is paucity of data available on the subjective well-being and coping in these populations, particularly in Indian setting. Aim: To study the subjective well-being and coping among people with schizophrenia and epilepsy. Materials and methods: We evaluated 60 patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia and epilepsy (30 in each group) by following ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Patient suffering from any comorbid psychiatric disorder including mental retardation, substance abuse, known other organic and neurological illness were excluded. We measured subjective well-being by using the Subjective Well-Being Inventory and coping strategies using the Coping Scale. Findings and conclusions: Poor subjective well-being is prevalent in patients with schizophrena and epilepsy; there is no difference found between both groups of patients on these parameters. In these subjects, coping strategies should be prompt so that well-being can be increased that may lead to improved quality of life by alleviating the suffering caused by schizophrenia and epilepsy.