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. 2016 Nov;62(7):635-644.
doi: 10.1177/0020764016666572. Epub 2016 Sep 26.

Patients' perceptions of barriers to self-managing bipolar disorder: A qualitative study

Carol Blixen  1   2 , Adam T Perzynski  2 , Ashley Bukach  1 , Molly Howland  3 , Martha Sajatovic  4   5
Affiliations

Patients' perceptions of barriers to self-managing bipolar disorder: A qualitative study

Carol Blixen et al. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2016 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Self-management of bipolar disorder (BD) is challenging for many individuals.

Material: Interviews were used to assess perceived barriers to disease self-management among 21 high-risk patients with BD. Content analysis, with an emphasis on dominant themes, was used to analyze the data.

Results: Three major domains of barriers emerged: individual barriers (psychological, knowledge, behavioral and physical health); family/community-level barriers (lack of support and resources); and provider/healthcare system (inadequate communication and access to care).

Conclusion: Care approaches providing social and peer support, optimizing communication with providers and integrating medical and psychiatric care may improve self-management of BD in this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Bipolar disorder; barriers; self-management.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Dr. Sajatovic has research grants from Pfizer, Merck, Janssen, Reuter Foundation, Woodruff Foundation, Reinberger Foundation, National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Sajatovic is a consultant to Bracket, Prophase, Otsuka, Pfizer and Sunovion and has received royalties from Springer Press, Johns Hopkins University Press, Oxford Press, UpTo Date, and Lexicomp. None of the other authors declare conflict of interest.

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