Relatives of persons suffering from severe depression

Depression is one of ten global diseases entailing the greatest loss of life quality and years of life, which also gives consequences for the relatives. The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate and describe everyday life among relatives of inpatients with severe depression and their encounter with the psychiatric specialist health service (PSHS). The relatives experienced objective and subjective burden, and their own health was affected. Everyday life needed to be adjusted in line with the severity of the next-of-kin’s depression. When the relatives encountered the PSHS a long time of worries and struggles had passed from the onset of the depression until the next-of–kin was hospitalized. To be acknowledged as a resource, invited to collaborate and to share their knowledge was of great importance to the relatives. Addtionally, to receive information concerning the treatment and care was crucial. The mental health nurses are in a unique position to support the relatives.