ABSTRACT.
This study presents the explanations of family members about psychological distress through the therapeutic itineraries of patients in mental health care from the perspective of the family. The Therapeutic Itinerary (T.I.) is understood as all movements raised by groups or individuals in order to safeguard or recover health, which can boost various resources, from religious practices and home care to the predominant biomedical devices. This study aimed to identify the explanations given by the family member regarding the mental health problem of the person in psychological distress. A qualitative study was carried out in which 10 interviews were conducted with family members of users of a Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS). According to the analysis of the interviews based on the Grounded Theory, it was possible to group the explanations into: (1) Spiritual, (2) Organic, (3) Family history, (4) Life events, (5) Diagnosis and (6) Others. The explanations given by family members involve a multiple look, which incorporates different causes and reasons, approaching the idea of integrality in health.
Keywords:
Mental health; family; Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS)