[Internalized stigmatization in bipolar patients: relationship with clinical properties, quality of life and...

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the internalized stigmatization on bipolar disorder (BD) patients.

The study included 100 BD patients that provided written informed consent to participate. Diagnosis of the BD patients that were in remission and receiving outpatient treatment was performed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) and patient data were recorded using SKIP-TURK. In addition, the patients were administered the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI), Mood Stabilizer Compliance Questionnaire (MSQC), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment, abbreviated form (WHOQOL-BREF).

Internalized stigmatization was observed in 46% of the BD patients; these patients had higher functionality scores, shorter regression periods, and more depressive episodes than those without internalized stigmatization. Although internalized stigmatization occurred more frequently in seasonal and rapid cycling patients, both attributes were prodrome of internalized stigmatization. Internalized stigmatization was observed more frequently in patients with low socioeconomic status, low level of education, rural residence, lack of work, and more children. There was a strong correlation between ISMI score, and WHOQOL-BREF and MSQC scores.

The clinical features of the BD and internalized stigmatization were observed to affect each other. Furthermore, stigmatization affected treatment compliance and quality of life.