Royal College of Psychiatrists: New research tool confirms patients with depression still stigmatised and discriminated against

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Tuesday, 01, Jul 2008 12:00

A new research questionnaire, the Inventory of Stigmatising Experiences, has confirmed high levels of stigmatisation and discrimination among patients with depression.

Major depressive disorder is one of the most common and disabling psychiatric conditions, and patients with the illness experience a significant amount of stigmatisation and discrimination because of it.

This study set out to assess and evaluate stigmatising experiences of people with depression. The Inventory of Stigmatising Experiences takes the form of a questionnaire, which includes both a frequency and intensity scale, and measures the prevalence and frequency of stigmatising experiences. It also measures the psychosocial impact of stigma.

The researchers believe that the total score reflects the pervasiveness of stigma experienced across different aspects of daily life. 120 patients attending a specialised tertiary service for patients with depression were screened with the inventory. It was found that the level of stigma and discrimination was very high, and occurred almost universally. Examples of some of responses received include:

“I don’t tell people because I am afraid of what they might think about me. I feel that if I could talk more freely about it, it might help me.”

“I think that the fear of what people will think of me (weak, lazy, a failure) does a lot of damage to my self-esteem which in turn makes it hard for me to want to help myself or build confidence.”

“Friends and family didn’t have the same expectations as I did for my getting higher education. When I was first hospitalised they expected that education was just too lofty a goal. The employment counsellor felt the same, directing me to minimum wage jobs.”

“Mostly I have kept my illness separate from my family, not discussing how I am or what I do for recovery. I believe they have thought little enough of me that I don’t want to add mental illness to it.”

Gender and employment status did not seem to have a significant impact on stigma. However, earlier onset of depression, and attendance at a hospital outpatient programme for depression, had the strongest association with high stigma scores both in terms of perceived stigma and total stigma.

Significant work should be undertaken to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with major depression, say the researchers.

Reference:

Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Meeting, Imperial College London 1 - 4 July 2008

For further information contact Dr Roumen Milev, Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 546-1101 ext 5823 (office) or +1 613 483 8211 (mobile)

E-mail: milevr@providencecare.ca

Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Press Office: 020 7235 2351 exts. 298 or 127.

From 1-4 July, please call the Annual Meeting Press Office on 020 7594 8636 or 020 7594 1847.