Abstract

PAULA, Danubia Cristina de; VEDANA, Kelly Graziani Giacchero  and  MIASSO, Adriana Inocenti. The meaning of psychotropic drugs use by family members of people with bipolar disorder. Vínculo [online]. 2022, vol.19, n.1, pp. 63-74. ISSN 1806-2490.  http://dx.doi.org/issn.19982-1492v19n1a7.

Family members are essential caregivers of people with bipolar disorder (BD) and may be vulnerable upon assuming this care, seeking some support such as the use of psychotropic drugs. The objective of this study was to understand the meaning that family caregivers attribute to their psychotropics use. This is a qualitative study with 32 participants that used Symbolic Interactionism (theorical reference) and the Grounded Theory (methodological reference). Data were analyzed in three steps: open, axial and selective coding. The family member is impacted by having to assume the care and needs to look for alternatives to adapt to the difficulties and effects of this care. Hence, they seek the use of psychotropics, but this consumption is seen and understood differently throughout the utilization process. This study offers a better understanding of the studied phenomenon and subsidies to improve the assistance to this clientele.

Keywords : family caregivers; psychotropic drugs; bipolar disorder; grounded theory.

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