Challenges in health care integrality: the therapeutic journey of mothers with intense psychic suffering

Abstract

This paper aims at mapping therapeutic itinerary (IT) of women/mothers with severe psychic suffering, observing the integrality in care in relation to the account for their female condition and psychic fragility. We used the life history method with semi-structured interviews, recorded in audio and video and later transcribed. We have performed interviews with six women and have created four theme categories: 1) Equipments and formal strategies of treatment; 2) Equipments and informal strategies of treatment; 3) Social support network and 4) Political and social engagement. Throughout analyzes it was found that the it was constructed in various and fragmented modes. In general, women supported by family, friends and professional were protagonists in constructing therapeutic itinerary. However, the integrality (that is based on an offer of care beyond individual efforts and that demands articulated actions between mental health and the maternal/child health) proved to be fragile. It was also observed lack of an articulated care and absence of a comprehensive approach related to their condition as mothers and severe psychic suffering subjects.