[Depression and stigma]

Until now, the interest of stigma research in psychiatry has been predominantly focused on schizophrenia. The fact that individuals suffering from depression may also be exposed to stigmatization, on the other hand, has received little attention.

Using the scales for the assessment of perceived stigma and stigma coping developed by Link et al., 39 patients who had received in-patient treatment for a depressive episode were questioned 4-7 months after their discharge from hospital.

45% of the respondents reported concrete instances of stigmatization. Respondents expected to find discrimination and devaluation on the part of their environment especially with regard to their changes on the labour market. The vast majority of those questioned was in favour of keeping the fact that one had experienced a mental illness or had received psychiatric treatment to themselves. Further, our results show a tendency to avoid situations which might imply an increased risk of stigmatization. While respondents considered it important to facilitate a better understanding of mental illness on the part of their closest friends and relatives, the idea of being actively involved in educating the lay public received comparatively little support.

Although individuals suffering from depression may be confronted with less rejection or resentment than schizophrenic patients or patients with substance use disorder, this does not imply that they do not have to struggle with the problem of stigmatization.