Background: Bipolar Disorder is a major psychotic disorder which cause considerable burden and
limitations among the caregivers of the affected patients. Different coping methods are used that
may have a buffering effect on level of burden they experience. Aim: This study aimed to assess
burden and coping patterns among family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder. Design: A
descriptive cross-sectional analytical study design was utilized. Setting: This study was carried out
in the outpatient clinic of the Institute of Psychiatry affiliated to Ain Shams University. Subjects:
this study was conducted on 140 family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder. Data collection
tools: 1) a structured interview schedule to assess: a) demographic data of
caregivers, b) patient
history of illness, c) knowledge about BD; 2) Burden assessment schedule
scale; and 3) Coping
strategies inventory scale. Results: data analysis showed that near half, near one third, & one
quarter of the studied caregivers had severe, moderate, and mild levels of caregiving burden
respectively. Regarding their coping pattern , more than two third of them had low problem focused
engagement, while more than half of them had high problem focused disengagement and emotional
focused disengagement respectively. Conclusions: This study concluded that, less than half of the
studied caregivers had severe level of caregiving burden, about one third of them had moderate
level of caregiving burden, three fifths of them had low engagement coping and more than half of
them had high disengagement coping. Recommendations: Development of psycho-educational
supportive program for family caregivers of patients with BD to reduce their burden and improve
coping patterns. Establishment of counseling clinics for caregivers of patients with mental illness
including BD to enhance their resilience, coping skills and quality of life