Help-seeking strategies and treatment experiences among individuals diagnosed with Bipolar Spectrum Disorder in Iran
A qualitative study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2395516 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Fahimeh Mianji (0000-0003-1449-9757, McGill University, corresponding author), L J Kirmayer (0000-0002-6228-1739, McGill University) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 201-214 |
| Publication date | 2023-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Transcultural Psychiatric Research Review (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0041-1108 • E-ISSN: 0315-4386 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/13634615221127855 |
| PMID | 36245238 |
| OpenAlex | W4306391213 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 56 |
Social, cultural, and structural factors are associated with delays in seeking help from mental health professionals and poor treatment adherence among patients with mood disorders. This qualitative study examined the perspectives on the services and response to treatments of individuals diagnosed with Bipolar Spectrum Disorder (BSD) in Iran through 37 in-depth semi-structured interviews with patients who had received BSD diagnosis and treatment (excluding Bipolar-I). Interviews explored two broad areas: 1) coping and help-seeking strategies; and 2) barriers to treatment and expectations of outcomes from treatment. Multiple factors influenced the help-seeking strategies and trajectories of patients with BSD diagnoses in Iran, including: structural limitations of the mental healthcare system; modes of practice of biological psychiatry; characteristics of the official psychology and counseling services permitted by Iran's government; popular psychology and consultation (offered through social media from the diaspora) by Iranian psychologists and counsellors in the diaspora; and alternative spiritual and cult-based groups. To improve the quality and accessibility of mental health services, it is essential to have structural changes in the healthcare system that prioritize human rights and individuals' values over the political and ideological values of the state and changes in the professions that promote secular training of mental healthcare providers and an ecosocial model of care
Bipolar disorder · Coping (psychology · Health care · Mental health · Mood · Political science · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Sociology · Bipolar Disorder and Treatment · Clinical Psychology · Family Caregiving in Mental Illness · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |