Perceived Social Support and Self-Stigma among Schizophrenia and BPAD Patients with Psychiatric Hospitalization

Background: The stigma associated with psychiatric illness harms the self-esteem of many people who have serious psychiatric illnesses. An important consequence of reducing stigma would be to improve the self-esteem of people who have psychiatric illnesses. Aim: To see impact of psychiatric hospitalization on the perceived social support and perceived stigma among the schizophrenia and BPAD patients with first and multiple hospitalizations. Methods: The study has been conducted at the inpatient department of Central Institute of Psychiatry, Kanke, Ranchi. The total sample size was 80 patients of schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorders selected through purposively sampling technique in accordance of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Socio-demographic and clinical details of the entire patients were assessed through socio-demographic datasheet, clinical datasheet, Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) and Self stigma of mental illness scales (SSMIS). Results: The result shows the more perceived social support and stigma among patients with multiple admissions in schizophrenia and BPAD as compared to single admission among patients with schizophrenia and BPAD. Conclusion: People who have a mental illness often feel stigmatized. Around the world, many people with mental illness are discriminated against, have restricted work opportunities, feel stigmatized at work, and are even denied the basic rights afforded to other members of the society.