[Stigma experiences of patients with obsessive compulsive disorders]

Only in recent years has research shown interest in stigma experiences of patients with mental disorders. However, subjective experiences of patients with OCD have not been published until now.

Fifty-one patients with OCD were questioned about anticipated and actual stigmatization experiences as well as their stigma coping strategies, using a questionnaire especially developed for this study.

Most of the patients expected negative reactions from their environment. Eighty per cent of the respondents were convinced that they would be rejected at work when it became known that they are mentally ill. Two thirds of the respondents feared that they would be rejected in a partnership. Concrete stigmatization was rarely reported by patients with OCD. Contrary to patients with depression and schizophrenia, the group of patients with OCD showed some differences between anticipated and actually experienced stigmatization. Concealing is a relevant strategy for dealing with the illness for three quarters of the respondents.

Possibilities of reducing stigmatization and discrimination because of mental illness in general and OCD in particular are discussed.