Depression in Caregivers of Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Objective: Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness which affects psychological health of caregiver of the
patients. The aim of the study was to determine frequency of depression in caregivers of patients of bipolar
disorder and to determine the contributing factors leading to depressive disorder among caregiver of bipolar
affective disorder.
Material and Methods: Correlational cross-sectional research design was used for the current study. Convenient
sampling technique was used and data from (N=220) caregivers both males and females, aged more than 18
years accompanying the patients coming in OPD of psychiatry department Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore
Pakistan were gathered. Through convenient, non-purposive sampling technique data from (N=220)
caregivers both males and females, aged more than 18 years accompanying the patients coming in OPD of
psychiatry department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore Pakistan were taken. Hospital Anxiety and
Depression scale (HAD) was administered for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used
for data analysis.
Results: A score of 8 and above indicated presence of depression. Two hundred and twenty caregivers were
included in study and out of them 58 caregivers (26%) had depression.
Conclusion: A difficult emotional environment, anxieties, and everyday challenges can be detrimental to an
individual's physical and mental well-being. The ways in which patient traits, caregiver qualities, and support
systems interact to ultimately determine the amount of care that caregivers must provide