Perceptions of mental health care users diagnosed with major depressive disorder of factors that lead to readmission

Abstract

Major Depressive Disorder tends to have a chronic course and Mental Health Care Users with this diagnosis experience challenges after discharge that impact recovery. A qualitative approach and descriptive design were used to explore these challenges and the perceived value that mental health care users attach to support group attendance after discharge. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with eleven participants. The transcribed interviews were analysed thematically. Data analysis generated four themes: “Inability to fully benefit from hospitalisation”, “Life was not what I expected it to be after discharge”, “I did not feel supported after discharge” and “Support groups could be valuable”. This study showed that learning is compromised during the acute phase of the disorder affecting the implementation of coping skills after discharge, that recovery is a journey that extends beyond hospitalisation, that the experience of isolation after discharge is detrimental to recovery and that support groups could compensate for some unmet treatment needs at discharge.

Keywords: Major Depressive Disorder, challenges, readmission, occupational therapy