Importance of Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation plays a vital role in the treatment and rehabilitation of substance abuse, dual diagnosis, drug induced psychosis and psychiatric clients. Psychoeducation should be given to the clients, families of clients or significant others during the treatment and rehabilitation and also during the aftercare phase. Clients should be taught the signs and symptoms of the condition while educating them about the effects of medication they are consuming, the side effects and the importance of follow up sessions, the importance of engaging in psychosocial activities and skills so that they can understand better their condition and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Basically, it is an activity in which information is delivered and clients and their families are informed on how to manage the condition and knowing what to do during the crisis.

Psychoeducation sessions can be conducted by trained healthcare professionals during clients’ visits for review, counselling sessions (individual, group and family), family association sessions and other group psychosocial activities or aftercare programs. Psychoeducation is proven to be very effective among clients in maintaining a normal life.

Kepentingan Psikopendidikan

Psikopendidikan memainkan peranan penting dalam rawatan dan pemulihan penyalahgunaan bahan, diagnosis ganda, psikosis akibat dadah dan klien psikiatri. Psikopendidikan harus diberikan kepada klien, keluarga klien atau orang lain yang penting semasa rawatan dan pemulihan dan juga semasa fasa selepas rawatan. Klien harus diajar tanda-tanda dan gejala keadaan semasa memberi tahu mereka tentang kesan ubat yang mereka makan, kesan sampingan dan pentingnya sesi susulan, pentingnya melibatkan diri dalam aktiviti dan kemahiran psikososial supaya mereka dapat memahami dengan lebih baik keadaan dan mengekalkan gaya hidup sihat. Pada dasarnya, ia adalah aktiviti di mana maklumat disampaikan kepada klien dan keluarga mereka diberitahu tentang bagaimana menguruskan keadaan dan mengetahui apa yang harus dilakukan semasa krisis.

Sesi psychoeducation dapat dijalankan oleh profesional penjagaan kesihatan terlatih semasa lawatan susulan klien, sesi kaunseling (individu, kumpulan dan keluarga), sesi persatuan keluarga dan aktiviti psikososial kumpulan lain atau program selepas rawatan. Pendidikan psikopendidikan terbukti sangat berkesan di kalangan klien dalam mengekalkan kehidupan normal.