Effect of Psychoeducation on the Resilience of the Family Caregivers of Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Background & Aims: Bipolar disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the 21st century. It is a chronic, recurrent disorder causing mood swings, and patients alternate between episodes of mania and depression. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder is a stressful issue for the individual and his family. The disease not only causes anxiety and stress for the client, but also causes severe disturbances to his family. The family caregivers of clients with a psychiatric disorder and the resulting stress do not react in the same way and choose different ways to deal with the illness. Denial, anger, feelings of shame, as well as indifference and change in the relationships between family members are among the negative feelings in caregivers. Caregivers can only overcome the stress of caring for a client with a psychiatric disorder and maintain their health and that of their family when they are resilient. The concept of resilience in caregivers of clients with psychiatric disorders refers to the flexible and well-developed behavioral pattern of caregivers in response to the difficulties and challenges encountered while caring for the client. Resilience in caregivers of clients with psychiatric disorders is a dual concept. On the one hand, caregivers overcome the difficulties and challenges of caring for the client and take steps to maintain and improve his physical and mental health. On the other hand, by promoting their mental health, they are able to act stronger than before in the face of advanced troubles and problems. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of a psychoeducation program on the resilience of caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder hospitalized in Sanandaj Psychiatric Center. pre-test as one of the ways to promote resilience in clients and their caregivers.