Exploring psychosis and bipolar disorder in women: a critical review of the qualitative literature

Wittkowski, Anja; McGrath, Laura; Peters, Sarah

doi:10.1186/s12888-014-0281-0

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Perceived loss has featured in previous reviews relating to severe maternal mental health disorders (Smith et al 2018;Wittkowski et al 2014;Dolman et al 2013). However, for women and families experiencing PP, the sense of loss was pervasive and reported across multiple domains of women's lives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous metasyntheses have explored individuals' experiences of serious mental health problems and mental health services in the postnatal period (Ruffell et al 2019;Smith et al 2018;Plunkett et al 2016;Megnin-Viggars et al 2015;Wittkowski et al 2014;Dolman et al 2013). However, given the range of maternal mental health disorders included in those reviews, the applicability of these findings to women's experiences of PP remains unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, women remain at increased risk of subsequent postpartum and non-postpartum episodes, including depression and anxiety (Robertson et al 2005 ; Nager et al 2013 ). PP is a highly stressful life event which can have a detrimental impact on well-being and long-term functioning and result in feelings of guilt, loss, fear and shame (Burgerhout et al 2017 ; Plunkett et al 2016 ; Wittkowski et al 2014 ). Psychological intervention and psychosocial support has been recommended (Doucet et al 2011 ), yet very little is known about the psychological factors underpinning recovery or the types of intervention found to be effective.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recovery from postpartum psychosis: a systematic review and metasynthesis of women’s and families’ experiences

Forde

Peters

Wittkowski

2020

Arch Womens Ment Health

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Postpartum psychosis is a serious disorder that can result in adverse consequences for the mother and baby. It is important that we understand the experiences of women, to develop effective interventions during this critical period. The aim of this systematic review was to conduct a metasynthesis of qualitative research exploring women’s experiences of postpartum psychosis and factors involved in recovery from the perspective of women and family members. A comprehensive literature search of five databases was conducted and the findings were appraised and synthesised, following a thematic synthesis approach. Fifteen studies, capturing the views of 103 women and 42 family members, met the inclusion criteria. Four main themes incorporating 13 subthemes were identified following synthesis: (1) Experiencing the unspeakable, (2) Loss and disruption, (3) Realigning old self and new self and the integrative theme of (4) Social context. The findings offer new insight into the unique experience of postpartum psychosis and demonstrate that recovery does not follow a linear path. To improve clinical outcomes, a more integrative and individualised approach is needed which incorporates long-term psychological and psychosocial support, and considers the needs of the family. Further areas for staff training, service development and future research are highlighted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recovery from postpartum psychosis: a systematic review and metasynthesis of women’s and families’ experiences

Forde

Peters

Wittkowski

2020

Arch Womens Ment Health

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“…The women participants drew upon cultural understandings in order to form complex and nuanced accounts of their difficulties (see also Marriott et al, 2018) and develop culturally appropriate coping strategies. Spiritual beliefs are inextricably linked to modes of understanding and strategies of coping with psychotic experiences, and in the studies conducted in Western societies these seem to characterize more women belonging to migrant and minority groups with stronger religious and spiritual affiliations (Wittkowski et al, 2014).…”

Section: Women Femininity Sexuality and Psychosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Feminine sexuality, religiousness and psychotic distress: Tracing a pattern

Georgaca

Fenekou

Katsouli

et al. 2022

Feminism & Psychology

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This paper describes a pattern regarding the relationship between feminine sexuality, religiousness and psychotic distress that was discerned in two independent multiple case studies in Greece. One study utilized grounded theory to develop a model of therapeutic change through recording the development of voice hearers’ understanding and coping with their voices during a therapeutic intervention. The other study applied biographical and thematic analysis to interviews with persons with psychosis and their families, in order to explore family narratives regarding life with a family member with psychosis. A common pattern was detected for all the female participants, whereby following a religious upbringing in childhood and pursuing independence from the family together with social and sexual exploration in early adulthood, the onset of psychosis marked a return to the family home and a religious frame of reference. The psychotic experiences seemed to resemble engrained experiences of shaming regarding sexual and gender norms. Moreover, they had the effect of re-signifying female identity and sexuality, bringing them into line with conservative religious principles. This pattern suggests that psychotic experiences may not only express culturally prescribed female gender norms but also may serve to regulate women’s sexuality in conservative religious cultural environments.

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“…A more recent critical review of the qualitative literature on women with BD, summarizing 13 studies, identified six strategies used to cope with the disorder (which is similar, but not identical to coping with stress): (a) finding motivation in the parental role, (b) seeking support from social networks, (c) seeking support from professionals, (d) hiding the disorder by attempting to appear “normal,” (e) taking medication, and (f) seeking alternatives to conventional treatment, including, among others, religious or spiritual practices and yoga ( Wittkowski, McGrath, & Peters, ). Lawn and McMahon () used qualitative methods to explore, for example, gender differences in the experience of 28 partners (9 men) married to people contending with a wide range of severe mental disorders (but not specifically BD).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Hold on Tight: Coping Strategies of Persons With Bipolar Disorder and Their Partners

et al. 2018

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Objective To explore coping strategies for persons with bipolar affective disorder and their partners. Background Bipolar disorder poses interpersonal and practical challenges for patients and their partners. Although the divorce rate is high among persons with bipolar disorder, few studies have examined how these people and their partners cope with the condition. Method 11 persons with bipolar affective disorder and 10 partners of people with bipolar affective disorder were interviewed separately about coping. Data were analyzed using the grounded theory method. Results Both patients and partners reported that coping strategies included professional help, social support, and emotional, instrumental, and religious coping strategies. Conclusions Persons with bipolar disorder and their partners draw on similar coping strategies, but the former draw more on social support and instrumental coping strategies, and their partners draw on emotional coping strategies. Both members of the couple are dependent on the use of professional support—psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial—when it is readily available and easily accessible, and this was a key aspect of coping with the disorder. Implications Clinical interventions should focus on providing support for partners, who are integral to the health and well‐being of persons with bipolar disorder and who experience substantial strain associated with their caregiving duties. Focusing on strategies to strengthen the spousal relationship is an essential aspect of care.

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Exploring psychosis and bipolar disorder in women: a critical review of the qualitative literature

Cited by 6 publications

References 58 publications

Recovery from postpartum psychosis: a systematic review and metasynthesis of women’s and families’ experiences

Recovery from postpartum psychosis: a systematic review and metasynthesis of women’s and families’ experiences

Feminine sexuality, religiousness and psychotic distress: Tracing a pattern

Hold on Tight: Coping Strategies of Persons With Bipolar Disorder and Their Partners

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