Self-management of chronic disease in individuals with psychotic disorder: A qualitative study

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate self-management by individuals with a serious mental illness and an additional chronic disease. Design and Methods Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used. The study was carried out with 12 participants with a serious mental illness and an additional chronic disease. Results The participants had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and diabetes (75%). Based on the data, the difficulties faced by the patients in chronic disease management were determined as three themes: (a) personal-related difficulties, (b) family and society-related difficulties, and (c) healthcare system-related difficulties. Practice Implications Nurses' interventions to accurately inform other clinicians and leading professional groups in the community will support individuals with serious mental illnesses to improve their self-management by reducing the burden of stigma.