Feelings and perceptions of families and persons with bipolar disorders attendend at a psychosocial care center - DOI: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v8i3.9049

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing and analyzing the feelings and perceptions of families and persons with bipolar disorders attended at a Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS). It is an experience report based on a qualitative methodology. The subjects of this study were persons with bipolar disorder and their families who were enrolled in a treatment at CAPS for a period of more than two years. Authors used field notes and analyzed this content through thematic analysis, resulting in two categories: social activities developed at CAPS as rehabilitation strategies and feelings and behaviors expressed by families. Results showed the lack of information about the disease and its treatment, the importance for users of the social activities developed at CAPS and the feelings of sadness, anguish and loneliness associated to the behavior of patience and support by families. Considering this context, nurses must pay attention to the users’ perceptions and the feelings experienced by families in order to try to find better results regarding the users’ stability and to help to improve family life.