Therapeutic itineraries experienced by older adults with depressive disorder and/or anxiety disorder.

OBJECTIVE: to understand the therapeutic itineraries experienced by older adults with depressive and/or anxiety disorders. METHOD: a qualitative study involving 27 older adults with a diagnosis and/or symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, linked to the Family Health Strategy units in the urban area of a municipality in northwestern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected between August and September 2024 through interviews. Operative thematic analysis was used, grounded by the theoretical framework of Therapeutic Itineraries guided the deduction of categories. RESULTS: three deductive categories were constructed: the folk sector, which includes family, community, and social support networks; the popular sector, consisting of popular knowledge; and the professional sector, represented by the bond and interaction with healthcare services and professionals. From these, nine inductive categories emerged. CONCLUSION: the therapeutic itinerary of older adults with depressive and/or anxiety disorders was predominantly based on natural and popular resources. Several factors contribute to mental health issues not being recognized, diagnosed, or treated. These include the lack of follow-up of health conditions by the healthcare team, difficulties in accessing health services due to clinical, financial, and transportation barriers, and limited access to specialized services.