Experiences and Challenges of Families with Mental Disorders

This study aimed to identify the experiences and challenges of a person with a mental disorder. This research was carried out using a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. The statistical population of this study was the families of Omid Farda rehabilitation center in Tehran. Twenty of the family were selected as sample size purposefully. The information was obtained using a semi-structured interview and then prepared in writing and analyzed through the thematic method. The result of this analysis consists of six major issues were: "lack of awareness", "problems of treatment", "problem of communication "," deprive of quietness and mental health of the family and social and legal problems", disruption of family function". The results show that families with a mental illness, experience bitter and bad problems. Because of being in such circumstances, they experience isolation, social exclusion, and stigma that this social exclusion leads to disruption of family function.