Niether the patient alone in schizophrenia, but the spouse & children and other members involved are all facing several difficulties.

Here in a population of schizophrenic patients all treating in the author's rural district clinic in 2009 are evaluated for ther familial stess& burden.The cost seems high even in a rural society in India, where joint family situation exists.

The current loss involving a schizophrenic patient after more than 5-10yearsof suffering is reassed to find an insight to this grave problem, still rampart in different countries of the devoloping world.

180 patients who were diagonosed as suffering from scizophrenia as per ICD-10 creria was evaluated.They were 96 male, 84 females with onset of ilness 5-10 yrears back & in the age group 28-42 with a median age of 35 years.

1. 1. Maritalstatus & satisfaction was assesed first, with a divorce of 7in female and 4 inmale groups. There was desertion of spouse in13 case in male group & living apart status in10 females.Sexual lfe in the last 6months was was absent in 24 females & in10 of male group, those living together.Satisfaction in sex was reported poor by 30% of females &25% of males.

2. 2. Living status & where there is a fall in previous 5years was repoted as 30% in female groups & nearly 50% in male groups.

3. 3. Childrearing & education was poor in40% of male &55% in females.

Societal burden in few parameters is immense.

I In all dimensions burden&cost is high.