Abstract
Bipolar Disorder (BD) is known as a bipolar affective disorder or manic depression. This is a mental disorder characterised by periods of elevated mood and periods of depression. Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a mental health care professional.
Family members of individuals living with BD face many difficulties and find the consequences of their relative’s condition stressful. These family members need both emotional support and knowledge about the condition and how to care for individuals living with BD. The researcher discovered it was necessary to develop and describe strategies to facilitate the mental health of family members caring for individuals living with BD. The purpose of the research study was to develop and describe strategies for psychiatric nurses to facilitate the mental health of family members caring for individuals living with BD. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used.
Three phases were followed in this research study. In Phase 1 a phenomenological approach focusing on exploring and describing the lived experiences of family members caring for individuals living with BD was executed. A purposive sample was utilised to select family members caring for individuals living with BD to participate in the study. In-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted to collect data, as well as documenting observations and field notes. Data analysis was done by means of thematic analysis.
Four themes were identified: 1. Family members experienced taking care of individuals living with BD as exhausting, strenuous and a continuous unasked responsibility. 2. They experienced that their own routines are often disrupted by the individuals living with BD’s unpredictable behaviour, as well as having to accompany them to appointments. 3. They experienced that family relationships became strained and challenged. 4. They experienced the needs for assistance to cope with the individuals living with BD...
D.Cur. (Psychiatric Nursing)