title: Attitudes of patients with bipolar disorder toward the Life Chart Methodology: a phenomenological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Dutch guideline for bipolar disorder (BD) recommends the use of the Life Chart Methodology (LCM) to help patients to monitor fluctuating mood patterns. But in practice patients show ambivalent attitudes toward this instrument.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe attitudes and motivations of patients with BD for (non-)using the LCM.
  
  
  METHODS
  A phenomenological study with unstructured in-depth interviews of 14 patients with BD. Patient narratives were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, analyzed, and coded inductively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that despite variability in perceptions and willingness to work with the LCM, the general attitude toward this instrument was a recognized value for using the LCM. However, the emotional impact of daily mood charting was experienced as a substantial burden, particularly during the early stages of diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The impact of the diagnosis of BD needs to be taken in account when introducing the instrument for the first time to a patient.
authors.affiliation: Mischa A. van Bendegem, APRN, RN, Mediant Centre for Bipolar Disorders, Enschede, Netherlands ma.bendegem@mediant.nl.
authors.forename: Mischa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Bendegem
authors.affiliation: Silvio C. G. H. van den Heuvel, MA, RN, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Deventer, Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Dimence Centre for Bipolar Disorders, Deventer, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Silvio C G H
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: van den Heuvel
authors.affiliation: Laura J. Kramer, MSc, Mediant Centre Bipolar Disorders, Enschede, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: Peter J. J. Goossens, PhD, APRN, RN, FEANS, Dimence Centre for Bipolar Disorders, Deventer, Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; GGZ-VS Institute for the Education of Clinical Nurse Specialists in Mental Health, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter J J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Goossens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: bipolar disorder; life chart methodology; patients’ attitudes; self-management