Disorders and Their Caregivers

SUMMARY Objectives: This study was descriptively conducted in order to determine the quality of life of patients with Bipolar Disorder and their caregivers. Methods: The research was conducted with a total of 53 patients with bipolar disorder and their 53 caregivers in the psychiatry policlinic. The data were collected using Personal Information Form and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument–Turkish version. Also, laboratory results of blood-lithium, valproate and carbamazepine levels were evaluated. Results: Among the patients that participated in the study, the average score of the quality of life of the patients was found to be 74.2 ± 11.0 while the average score of quality of life of their caregivers’ was 79.8 ± 10.8. A positive correlation exists between the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers (p=0.043, r=0.279). However, there was no significant positive correlation between the condition of patients’ with normal levels of medicine in the blood as well as the regular tracking of the medicine levels of the patient and the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study presents that the quality of life of the patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers are affected by one another while the regular drug use and the normal amount of medicine in the blood does not affect the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers. Therefore, use of drugs alone is ineffective in improving the quality of life of patients with bipolar disorder. Thus, it is recommended that psychosocial interventions are also implemented alongside drug treatment.