A Qualitative Approach to Identifying Psychosocial Issues Faced by Bipolar Patients

Abstract

Many studies have examined factors influencing or associated with the outcome of bipolar disorder. However, little is known about bipolar patients' subjective experiences of their illness and the issues that are of significance to them. The use of a client-focused approach in identifying these issues is important for planning treatment and clinical medical management to address patients' specific needs. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted with 18 bipolar patients and transcribed verbatim. The data were then analyzed and interpreted according to the phenomenological approach to qualitative research. The data were interpreted in terms of how patients view themselves, their lives and community, and their future. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed.

A systematic review, psychometric analysis and qualitative assessment of generic preference-based measures of health in mental health populations and the estimation of mapping functions from widely used specific measures

“…216,218,219 Negative affect, in the more severe form of depression including feeling suicidal (as opposed to simply being sad and unhappy), was also identified in studies in which the primary diagnosis was psychosis related. Chambers 2012,211,215,217,220 It was also the symptoms of depression in bipolar patients that were reported as being particularly distressing, 216 together with the unpredictability and instability of mood. 207,216,218 Energy and motivation Depression was often expressed as associated with a lack of energy and/or motivation.…”

“…Distress, or the subjective experience of the symptoms of mental illness, was evident in the majority of studies 147,206,[211][212][213]216,217,220 and a major theme in four. 206,211,216,220 The subjective experience of mental illness was described as wretched, 217 a burden, debilitating, painful, 220 tormenting 216 and having a tyrannical power over life.…”

“…', 218,219 and four showed a negative orientation through asking 'how has your mental health affected your quality of life?'. 210,212,213,216 The remainder considered both 'what had helped and hindered quality of life'. Four studies had a conceptual orientation; 210,212,213,219 the remainder presented their findings descriptively.…”

“…206,211,216,220 The subjective experience of mental illness was described as wretched, 217 a burden, debilitating, painful, 220 tormenting 216 and having a tyrannical power over life. 206 Preoccupation with the symptoms of mental health problems interfered greatly with the most basic tasks of everyday living, Chambers 2012,206,212,220 making it difficult to deal with anything but the present moment.…”

“…207 The studies were published between 1994 and 2010 in a number of countries: The mental health disorder most frequently represented was schizophrenia (or other psychotic disorder); this was the only population researched in three studies 211,212,215 and the majority population in a further two studies. Chambers 2012,220 Three studies included individuals with bipolar disorder only 216,218,219 and one included those with panic disorder only. 213 Other studies 206,210 had a mixed population including the above disorders plus persons with personality disorder, severe depression and anxiety disorders.…”