BIRGUNJ: The challenges of a housewife are unimaginable when all her family members are suffering from Schizophrenia, raising the question how she would take care of them for the rest of their lives with limited resources.

Two daughters, a son and husband of Rampari Sharma were all diagnosed with 'Schizophrenia' six years ago at the Birgunj Medical College.

Ever since, she has been treating them on her own with very limited resources. At the same time, she is also concerned about their well-being and anxiety is taking its toll on her health as well.

"I used to earn Rs 6,000 working at other houses as domestic helper but now I hardly make Rs 2,000 as I spend most time taking care of my ailing family members," Sharma shares.

"At present, I am in a difficult situation trying to give continuity to their treatment with limited resources," Sharma added.

Earlier, they were taking medications prescribed by the doctors at the Birgunj Medical College, Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences and hospitals at Siligudi in India.

Sharma said her husband and younger daughter are in stable conditions but she is worried about her son and elder daughter's deteriorating health conditions.

"If I don't stand up for a day, it's difficult for me to manage two square meals for them; giving continuity to their treatment is a herculean task for me," Sharma shared her plight.

Schizophrenia is a complicated mental illness inherited genetically and diagnosed in about one per cent of the world population.

It is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feel and behaves. It is characterised by abnormal social behavior and failure to understand reality.

Common symptoms include false beliefs, unclear or confused thinking, hearing voices that others do not, reduced social engagement and emotional expression, and a lack of motivation.

In some cases, some of the symptoms are treatable if intervened on time.