Psychosis and motherhood: overcoming the challenges of adolescence
Between 50 and 60% of women with psychosis are mothers , a percentage similar to the general population. Many of them take on the care of their children, despite the difficulties the disorder may cause, social barriers, or a lack of communication about these problems with those around them. Furthermore, fear of stigma , a lack of awareness among professionals regarding motherhood , and fear of losing custody make it very difficult for them to speak out and ask for help. As a result, women who are mothers and have a psychotic disorder often have specific needs in raising their children. And all of this affects their prognosis and their relationship with their children.
It is estimated that over 70% of children living with a parent with mental health problems will experience symptoms, especially during adolescence . These teenagers need information about their mother's disorder, as well as support. However, the disorder is often treated as a secret or a taboo, either to protect them or out of fear of frightening them. It is common for teenagers not to understand certain situations, to feel confused , with many unanswered questions and worries about their own future. Many are hypervigilant about any possible symptoms they might experience. They have also been observed to frequently assume adult responsibilities. For this reason, numerous studies have emphasized the importance of psychoeducation and promoting coping strategies to prevent loneliness and foster resilience in adolescence.
Many teenagers feel confused by their parent's psychotic disorder and fearful of developing some of the symptoms.
Despite the critical need for group psychological intervention for these mothers and their children, no such therapy currently exists worldwide. This type of intervention would not only have the potential to alleviate the mothers' symptoms but also improve the family environment and reduce the risk of emotional problems in the children.
I have a psychotic disorder: what do I tell my son or daughter?
Benefits of family metacognitive training
Metacognitive training (MCT) is a validated psychological intervention for individuals with psychosis. Its aim is to teach individuals to reflect on their thoughts, with a dual purpose: to observe their cognitive processes and become aware of mental errors, as well as to be able to detect and control them.
The EMC offers several advantages for families in which the mother has a diagnosis of psychosis and for their children:
- It improves mutual understanding and the mother-child relationship. It can help mothers reflect on their thoughts and understand others' perspectives. It's important to recognize and respond well to their children's emotional and social needs, allowing them to connect better and have a healthier family environment.
- Reduction of psychotic symptoms and associated stress. EMC has been associated with a reduction in psychosis symptoms, such as delusions, which decreases stress on the mother and the family in general, improving family stability and reducing the likelihood of hospitalization.
- Strengthening Self-Reflection and the "Social Brain" in Adolescents. Adolescence is a critical time for the maturation of cognitive abilities related to self-reflection and reflection on others, and it is also a critical period for the development of schizophrenia. For adolescent sons and daughters, social cognition—the ability to read and understand others' emotions and to attribute intentions—is vital for developing healthy relationships. Participating in a program that strengthens these skills can help them better understand their mother's condition and manage their own relationships in a positive way.
- Effectiveness especially in women: Recent research suggests that EMC is particularly effective in women, making it an ideal intervention for mothers with psychosis.
Metacognitive training: learning to think better
Adapting family metacognitive training to mothers with psychosis and their adolescent children
Although metacognitive training (MCT) has shown benefits for individuals with psychosis , its application in the family setting has not yet been explored. Based on this need, the project “Online Family Metacognitive Training (FMT) for Mothers with Psychosis and Their Adolescent Children,” led by the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu and funded by the Carlos III Health Institute, with support from the Naccari Ravà Foundation and the Investigo program (NextGenerationEU), aims to adapt and evaluate the effectiveness of MCT in a family context .
This adaptation involved not only clinical and research staff, but also the direct participation of women with psychosis, their families, and adolescents, who reviewed the material and proposed changes and suggestions. As a result, we have a personalized intervention , using language adapted to the participants and their children, which includes everyday situations and concerns. Furthermore, it has been designed to be interactive and engaging, in order to increase the motivation of the participating families.
Family metacognitive training is presented as a promising psychological tool to support mothers with psychosis and their adolescent children.
This is an eleven-session weekly group training program , with groups organized by the age of the adolescents. The group format facilitates the identification of cognitive distortions (thinking errors), fosters understanding and empathy among others, and reduces stigma. Some of the topics covered in the sessions include:
- Adolescents' awareness of the disorder.
- Hasty decision-making.
- Overconfidence in memory.
- Empathy.
- The stigma surrounding the disorder.
- Relapse prevention.
In addition, there is a session in which mothers and children separate, allowing each group to freely express their concerns and emotions.
How to manage psychosis at home
Family metacognitive training is emerging as a promising psychological tool to support mothers with psychosis and their adolescent children. This intervention allows for a collaborative approach to cognitive distortions —errors in thought processing—that tend to intensify during psychotic episodes, exacerbating symptoms and generating conflicts in family and social relationships. Furthermore, proactively addressing these cognitive distortions in adolescents can reduce the risk of developing symptoms associated with psychotic disorders and foster a more balanced perception of reality from an early age.
Do you want to participate in the program?
If you'd like to participate in the family metacognitive training program and help evaluate its effectiveness, you can call or send a WhatsApp message to 673958196 or email lin.chen@sjd.es and we'll provide you with all the information. It will help you improve family relationships and allow you to meet other mothers who are going through similar experiences.
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