Negotiating Stigma: Comparing the Experiences of Self-Identified and Clinically Diagnosed Men with OCD in Russia

This cross-sectional qualitative study investigates how Russian men with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experience and manage mental health stigma, focusing on differences between those with a clinical diagnosis and those who self-identify with the disorder. Through in-depth interviews with eleven participants, the research explores meaning-making, disclosure practices, coping strategies, and the impact of masculine norms on help-seeking. Findings reveal that self-identified men often leverage the OCD label for personal understanding and peer support, while clinically diagnosed men gain validation but encounter heightened stigma due to their formal status. Both groups employ selective disclosure and narrative reframing to navigate societal pressures. The study highlights the interplay between personal identity, social recognition, and institutional legitimacy, underscoring the need for gender-sensitive and culturally tailored mental health interventions in Russia. This work contributes to understanding mental health stigma negotiation in understudied populations and settings, offering insights into how diagnostic status, gender norms, and cultural-historical context shape lived experiences of mental illness.