Family Members’ Experiences: People with Comorbid Bipolar and Substance Use Disorder

Meaning(s) of transition(s) from military to civilian life at the intersection with mental health: implications for clinical settings

The experiences of military personnel moving into civilian life can be varied for the individual, families and communities. This paper aims to shed light on the various meanings of the multiple and "nested" transitions of military personnel to civilian life in the context of attending a mental health service in the UK. This was achieved through secondary analysis of semi-structured interviews with veterans who were engaging with a mental health service in the UK and a further interview with the mental health service lead. A thematic analysis was employed based on a descriptive phenomenological approach. Results indicate that an appropriate support infrastructure needs to be put in place for veterans prior to, during and after the transition to civilian life. The support appropriateness includes themes specific to connectedness to others, support service accessibility, mental health professionals' military culture awareness and mental health stigma. Although the findings suggest that community services need an awareness of veterans' specific needs, many of the themes are similar to those of the general population. Therefore, the need for an integrated healthcare system is essential in the transition of military service personnel to civilian life. Drawing on international evidence as well as the current findings, implications for policy and practice are highlighted throughout.

Why doesn't God say "enough"? Experiences of living with bipolar disorder in rural Ethiopia

RATIONALE

Little is known about the specific experience people living with bipolar disorder in rural, low resource settings, where conditions that disrupt normal social interactions are often highly stigmatized and evidence-based treatments are rare.

OBJECTIVE

To explore illness experience, coping strategies, help-seeking practices, and consequences of illness among people with bipolar disorder (PBD) and their family members in rural Ethiopia as an initial step for developing psychosocial intervention grounded by the experiences of PBD.

METHOD

A qualitative methods using in-depth interviews were carried out with 27 individuals (15 PBD and 12 caregivers). The participants were identified on the basis of previous community-based research among people with severe mental illness. Interviews were carried out in Amharic, audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Our approach was informed by phenomenological theory.

RESULT

Three major themes emerged: expressions and experiences of illness, managing self and living with otherness, and the costs of affliction. PBD and caregivers were concerned by different forewarnings of illness. Stigma and social exclusion were entwined in a vicious cycle that shaped both illness experience and the economic health and social life of the household. Nonetheless, PBD and caregivers learned from their experiences, developed coping strategies, and sought relief from trusted relationships, spirituality, and medication.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that psychosocial intervention could be used to strengthen existing resources, in order to improve the lives of PBD and their family members. However, pervasive stigma may be a barrier to group and peer support approaches.

Family members lived experience with an opioid addicted loved one

BACKGROUND

The opioid epidemic is complex problem. In order to provide a comprehensive intervention plan, understanding all stakeholders' perspectives is essential. Stakeholders in this epidemic include the individual with substance use disorder (SUD), family and friends who care for the person with SUD, the community, the state, and the nation; however, there is limited research that explains the lived experience of individuals with SUD and their families and friends.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study is to understand the family members (FMs) lived experience with an individual with SUD.

METHODS

Using an interpretative phenomenological method of inquiry, a semi-structured interview guide was used. Eight participants (n = 8; i.e., mothers, a father, a wife, a grandmother, and an aunt) who care for a person with a SUD were interviewed. During the time of the interview, the persons with the SUD were in the following stages of the SUD trajectory: recovery (n = 4), active addiction (n = 1), and died from an overdose (n = 3). Interviews ranged from 60 to 90 minutes were conducted in a quiet, private location chosen by the participant. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and deidentified. Transcripts were uploaded to NVIVO, secure qualitative data storage software.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed four themes of the FMs lived experience with an individual with SUD: (1) confirming the addiction, (2) living with addiction, (3) sorting out addiction, and (4) reflecting on addiction. Findings will provide evidence to support comprehensive interventions.