The journey between the poles: The social realities of families of consumers with bipolar disorder

This thesis presents a study of carers who journey between the poles of family members with bipolar disorder. The quiescent periods between these storms represents, for carers, an almost unbearable quiet as they await the next change.

The issue of living with bipolar disorder, whether as a consumer or carer, acknowledges no geographic, chronological or socio-economic boundaries. With this in view, a section of this thesis examines these factors in discussion of the responses received in the interviews as well as the available statistical data. The research centred on a group of families from the Central region of Queensland. In line with previous research, this study also presents an examination of the development of interest in the lives of those family members caring for a consumer with a serious mental illness.

The creativity, energy and artistic outpth of consumers with bipolar sat well with the author's belief in a PhD being an opportunity to creatively explore with respondents their lived experiences. The excitement of the consumers infused an excitement, which the author hopes has translated into the thesis. The reciprocal effects of family environment and consumer behaviour, and the dependence of one upon the other, is presented in the study. Mental illness is, indeed, a family issue and, in this author's opinion, the phenomenon of mental illness underscores the need for the family's influence on the consumer's life and a need for recognition by the mental health professionals that there is a partnership required if the consumer is to best be cared for.