ABOUT THE COURSE

Psychosis conditions, including schizophrenia, are treatable mental health problems that can affect anyone although very few people talk about the conditions and their impact on families. Millions of people across the globe find themselves thrust unexpectedly into a role providing support and care when a relative develops psychosis. Carers can play a major role in supporting their relative’s progress and recovery.

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blue and white round illustration

What you'll learn

Over the four weeks, you will explore some of the key issues and questions relevant to a carer who is supporting a relative with psychosis.

Week 1:
  • Introduction

  • How best to understand psychosis

  • Common symptoms and causes

  • A first-hand account

  • Summary

Week 2:
  • Welcome to Week Two

  • Causes of psychosis

  • What medication and psychological treatments aim to achieve

  • Carers and medications

  • Managing medications and side-effects

  • Talking therapies

  • Summary

Week 3:
  • Welcome to Week Three

  • The impact of caregiving

  • Parents, partners, younger children and siblings as carers

  • First-hand accounts

  • Meeting the needs of the carer

  • Summary

Week 4:
  • Welcome to Week Four

  • Psychosis and physical health

  • Recovery and psychosis

  • Dealing with problem behaviours

  • Improving communication

  • Communication about health

  • Summary

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

Open to anyone with an interest in psychosis and caregiving issues.

You may be interested in taking the course because:

  • you know someone with psychosis, perhaps your child, partner, sibling, parent or friend and are providing support

  • you are a professional working in a service or other mental healthcare organisation, with an interest in psychosis and families

  • you have an interest in mental health problems.

No previous knowledge of psychosis or experience of caring is required to take the course although some medical terminology is used.

What you'll achieve

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the key symptoms and causes of psychosis, the role of psychological and pharmacological treatments, and the meaning and process of recovery

  • Identify common physical health problems in psychosis and obstacles to implementing healthier lifestyle options

  • Describe the impact that psychosis can have on individuals in a caregiving role and strategies to support improved wellbeing

  • Discuss techniques for reducing communication difficulties in caregiving relationships

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blue and white round illustration

Meet the team

King’s College London is one of the world’s leading research and teaching institutions and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s is the largest centre for research and postgraduate education and training in psychiatry, psychology and clinical neuroscience.

The IoPPN is home to many of the world’s leading physicians, clinicians and researchers in psychology, psychiatry, pharmacy, and neuroscience and their work will be featured in this course.

Dr Juliana Onwumere

Reader in Clinical Psychology

Dr Marta Di Forti

Clinical Reader in Psychosis Research

Dr Mary Docherty

Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist

Professor Fiona Gaughran

Professor of Physical Health and Clinical Therapeutics

Dr Emma Harding

Clinical Psychologist with Lived Experience of Psychosis

Dr Nadine Keen

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Professor Elizabeth Kuipers

Professor Emerita of Clinical Psychology

Professor Sir Robin Murray

Professor of Psychiatric Research

Professor Emmanuelle Peters

Professor of Clinical Psychology

Professor Sukhwinder Shergill

Professor of Psychiatry & Systems Neuroscience

Professor Jacqueline Sin

External Professor of Mental Health Nursing at City, University of London

Professor Mike Slade

External Professor of Mental Health Recovery and Social Inclusion at University of Nottingham

Professor David Taylor

Professor of Psychopharmacology

Martha Orbach

Award-winning Artist and Image-maker

Philippa Lowe

Family Carer

Dr Siobhan Gee

Principal Pharmacist for Psychiatric Liaison

Do you have a suggestion for a future course topic?

Your feedback matters. We are constantly seeking ways to improve our course content and experience. Help shape future runs of the course by getting in touch below.

Caring for People with Psychosis and Schizophrenia

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