Table 1. Personal Level Barriers to Disease Self-Management Among Poorly Adherent Patients With Bipolar Disorder (BD) (n =21).

Themes and Categories	Illustrative Quotations from Respondents
Psychological Barriers Stigma and isolation	“It's kinda weird. People look at you differently. When you say, well, I have bipolar disorder, it's like you're crazy or something. Stay away from her.” Respondent #2015 “..I isolate a lot. I try to stay away from people; basically just stay in my room. I just lock my doors and stay in the house all the time.” Respondent #2052
Knowledge Barriers Diagnosis & causes	“I have no understanding of Bipolar Disorder. Once I understand what it is that I have and why I'm what I am, then maybe I'll understand why I sometimes respond or do things the way I do.” Respondent #2052 “I would like to know what causes it, but I don't. I just figured I was just born like this.” Respondent #2012
Behavioral Barriers Attitudes & lifestyle issues	“I don't like being controlled by my medication, and being so dependent upon it. I just try to do it on my own. I don't want to be stuck on medicine all the rest of my life.” Respondent #2009 “Bipolar is a serious disease because I make irrational, crazy decisions, mainly when I'm manic. Then I have to face the consequences.” Respondent #2003
Physical Health Barriers	“But being bipolar and dealing with having HIV is sort of like a tough issue because I'm dealing with two things!” Respondent #2005