Coping styles of outpatients with a bipolar disorder.

Patients with a bipolar disorder need to cope with the problems they encounter, the consequences of their disease, and unpleasant events to stay well. This study was undertaken to gain greater insight into the coping styles of outpatients with a bipolar disorder when confronted with problems and unpleasant events. The participants (N = 157) completed the Utrecht Coping List and a questionnaire addressing various demographic and clinical characteristics.

The nursing of outpatients with a bipolar disorder: what nurses actually do.

This qualitative study was undertaken to gain insight into the daily practice activities of community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) involved in the nursing of outpatients with bipolar disorders in the Netherlands. Semistructured interviews were undertaken with 23 CPNs, and additional focus group interviews were conducted. Information was gained on the problems encountered by the patients with a bipolar disorder, desired outcomes, interventions used, and the role of the CPNs in the treatment of these outpatients.