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A dependence that empowers - the meaning of the conditions that enable a good life with bipolar disorder

The extensive suffering related to a complex life situation with bipolar disorder and the reported difference between care needs and the needs that are actually met implicates that there are still questions about management of life with bipolar disorder that need to be answered. The present study therefore aims to describe the meaning of the conditions that enable a good life with bipolar disorder. Ten persons, six women and four men, (aged 30 – 61), diagnosed with bipolar disorder were interviewed. A reflective lifeworld perspective based on phenomenological philosophy was used. The findings present the essential meaning of the conditions that enable a good life with bipolar disorder as a dependence that empowers, which is further described by its constituents: “turning the course of life”, “protecting oneself from running out of energy”, “being needed”, “being oneself through reliable others”, “personal landmarks for navigating through life”. A voluntary chosen dependence, as described in the present study, is a new approach of care that enables a good life with bipolar disorder, while enhancing own power, freedom and control. The conditions that enable a good life with bipolar disorder are more than separate supporting measures. Therefore a holistic perspective is preferable while providing care for individuals with bipolar disorder.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:vxu-7112
Date January 2010
CreatorsRusner, Marie, Carlsson, Gunilla, Brunt, David, Nyström, Maria
PublisherLinnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för hälso- och vårdvetenskap, HV, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för hälso- och vårdvetenskap, HV, Inst för vårdvetenskap, Högskolan i Borås, Inst för vårdvetenskap, Högskolan i Borås, Inst för vårdvetenskap, Högskolan i Borås, Stockholm : Co-Action Publishing
Source SetsDiVA Archive at Upsalla University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeArticle in journal, info:eu-repo/semantics/article, text
Formatapplication/pdf
Rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
RelationInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 1748-2623, 2010, 5:1, s. 4653-

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