Unheard voices: The sexual challenges of families of patients with bipolar disorder: A qualitative content analysis.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the voices of the family members of Bipolar Disorder (BD) patients about the challenges ahead of them. In this qualitative study, 22 participants shared their experiences of sexual challenges of patients with BD through in-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis. An overarching theme entitled "Unheard voices" reflected this experience. It comprised four main categories include sexual promiscuity, a change in sexual patterns, sexual support, and sexual indifference. The results revealed that the families of patients with BD have to deal with sexual promiscuity and change in sexual patterns in their family, and the family system attempts to respond to these changes by sexual support mechanisms and sexual indifference. Given the significant impact of healthy sexual behaviors on the quality of life of both the individual and the family, therapists and family support systems are advised to strengthen and educate families to support their patients' sexual health and needs and protect their sexual existence; they should also address the sexual challenges faced by these families as a diagnostic and therapeutic priority, and early sexual health interventions should be provided to these families.