Experiences of Patients with Bipolar Disorder Using Mental Health Services at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River State

Understanding patient experiences with mental health services is essential for improving care quality, treatment engagement, and recovery outcomes in bipolar disorder management. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of patients with bipolar disorder using psychiatric services at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Cross River State, South South Nigeria. Purposive sampling will recruit 20 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of bipolar disorder who have been in active treatment for at least 12 months. Semi-structured in-depth interviews will explore experiences of diagnosis disclosure, therapeutic relationships, medication management, inpatient care, and stigma within the clinical environment. Data will be analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Emerging themes are expected to include ambivalent relationships with psychiatric staff, challenges managing mood episodes in community settings, and experiences of diagnostic misidentification. This study will generate patient-centered evidence to support service improvement at UCTH and contribute to the development of recovery-oriented psychiatric care frameworks in Cross River State. Keywords: bipolar disorder, patient experience, qualitative, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, recovery