Nursing care for a patient with bipolar disorder (Mixed attack) based on the neuman systems model: A case report

Abstract

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that can involve manic and depressive episodes, as well as mixed episodes that involve both manic and depressive episodes. It can lead to significant psychosocial impairment and disability and can adversely affect the social relations, education, and professional success of the individual throughout life. Bipolar disorder causes stress for both the patient and family members. In this period, when intense support is needed, informing the patient and his/her family about illness and treatment is important. The Neuman Systems Model focuses on the optimal wellbeing of the individual and holistic management of treatment. In its holistic approach, the Neuman System defines nursing as the only profession that deals with all the factors that can affect an individual's response to possible and true stressors. Neuman attributes the uniqueness of nursing to its use of information and its regular unification with treatment approaches. From this point of view, Neuman believes that nurses should act as health care coordinators for individuals. In this case report, nursing care was planned and applied based on the Neuman System Model for a forty-year-old adult female diagnosed with bipolar disorder. A nursing care plan was prepared, and nursing interventions were applied to the patient aligned with the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association nursing diagnosis. In conclusion, applied nursing care was effective for the patient’s needs; however, there is a need for more model-based studies with larger samples. © 2020 by Journal of Psychiatric Nursing.