FAMILY EXPERIENCE WITH POSITIVE CLIENT RESPONSE TO CLOZAPINE

To gain a better understanding of family member's subjective experiences to their relative's positive response to clozapine treatment, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected from 10 blood-related parents of clients who received treatment from a community mental health center's outpatient clozapine clinic. All family members felt that their relative had responded positively to clozapine treatment. Effects were described as subtle yet remarkable to family members. Family relationships improved as a result of the client's positive response, as the positive effects that the family members described largely had to do with the client's increased ability to relate to others, along with an increased interest and ability to participate in social activities. Finally, strong family advocacy seemed to be a major factor in this sample of clients having access to clozapine.