[The two sides of the coin: the day-to-day aspect of bipolar disorder].
The bipolar affective illness is a serious psychiatric disorder, which presents high rate of relapse and apparent functional damage (AZEVEDO, 1998). Because of their impact on society and society in patients, sometimes with drastic consequences, I prepared this article which aims to clarify what is the bipolar disorder, identify her clinical symptoms and treatment and the nursing care that these patients need. There is a great need for knowledge about this disease, so that the general public understands the implications of living this way. There is then a need to integrate the mentally ill into society and the development of techniques that facilitate integration. The nurses, as professionals in the first line of care, have a decisive role in the interaction with these patients, not only in terms of treatment, but mainly in the social integration process of these individuals.
Carvalho
Mauro Filipe Peixe
MF
Departamento de Enfermagem de Saúde Mental e Psiquiátrica da Escola Superior de Enfermagem São João de Deus, Universidade de Evora.