RESUMO

This study aims to evaluate a group of people with schizophrenia undergoing outpatient treatment and who participate in a mutual support intervention, compared to another group of people with the same diagnosis, but attending only the usual outpatient treatment. This is a prospective study, with two measurements between six months. The mutual support group was initially composed of 16 people and the treatment as usual group was composed of 15 people. Clinical (medication adherence and functioning) and Recovery (hope, well-being, recovery and internalized stigma) outcomes were assessed. Nonparametric tests were used to verify differences in measurements between groups and between two moments. A higher level of internalized stigma and a decrease in the adherence to drug treatment in the treatment as usual group were verified. When comparing the pre-post difference between groups, there was a greater increase in adherence to drug treatment in the mutual support group. Our data point to more favorable results in the mutual support group, showing that ongoing participation in these groups is an important tool for the recovery process and for the treatment itself.

Assuntos

Esquizofrenia , Humanos , Pacientes Ambulatoriais , Estudos Prospectivos , Esquizofrenia/tratamento farmacológico , Grupos de Autoajuda , Estigma Social

RESUMO

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar e discutir um processo de grupo psicoeducativo para portadores de esquizofrenia (Proesq) da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) em parceria com a ABRE - Associação Brasileira de familiares, amigos e portadores de esquizofrenia. O grupo se desenvolveu no contexto das ações de um projeto de pesquisa participativa denominado "estratégias favorecedoras do empoderamento de portadores de esquizofrênia" e teve como norteador dos encontros a série livretos "conversando sobre a esquizofrênia" com temáticas construídas a partir de hsitórias de personagens que têm esquizofrenia, abordando como vivenciam e se relacionam com a doença e o impacto dessa em suas vidas. Ao final dos 13 encontros semanais, os participantes avaliaram que o processo os possiblitou melhor convivência com a doença, uma postura mais reflexiva em relação ao tratamento e à vida, sentirem-se emponderados e a diminuição do isolamento e autoestigma, bem como pensar na possibilidade de novos projetos. O espaço de interlocução dos coordenadores e supervisores do projeto teve o objetivo de ajudá-los a refletir sobre o processo grupal, avaliar a prática e capacitar os portadores e profissionais participantes para a multiplicar a prática em outros serviços da rede pública de saúde mental. A experiência relatada neste artigo foca os processos envolvidos na realização de um grupo inovador e as complexidades de se construir uma prática em co-participação entre usuários e saúde mental. (AU)

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This article presents and discusses a peer support group developed under a psychoeducational perspective, directed to patients with schizophrenia assisted by the Schizophrenia program (PROESQ) of the São Paulo Federal University (UNIFESP). The group intervention was part of a larger action research project named "strategies to foster empowerment of people with schizophrenia", developed through a partnership between the university and the brazilian schizophrenia association (ABRE). The group process was guided by the series of booklets "talking about schizophrenia", an educational text written around stories of characters who have schizophrenia, covering how they live and cope with the illness, and the impact of the illness experience in their lives. At he end of the 13-week process the participants evaluated the group process helped them to better accept the illness; a more reflexive stance towards treatment and life; feel empowered; decreased isolation and self stigma; to appreciate the possibility of recovery, to have hope in life and the desire contemplate new projects. The weekly team supervision aimed at reflecting about the group process, evaluate the practice, and to qualify and empower users and profesionals to multiply the group practice in mental health community services. The article focuses on the processes involed in experimenting with an innovative group format, and the complexities of users and professionals co-constructing a mental health practice. (AU)