title: [Attitudes towards anti-depressive therapy: acceptance vs. stigmatization].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study investigates the attitude towards antidepressant treatment among general public.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 234 probands (139 women and 95 men) were asked to complete individually provided questionnaires examining socio-demographic data, psychoeducational levels, as well as personal beliefs concerning antidepressant treatment and levels of present stigmatisation. Three scales were used to quantify stigmatisation levels-"Revised Perceived Devaluation Discrimination Scale"/"Revised Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale"/"Attitudes Toward Mental Health Treatment Scale", "Revised Perceived Devaluation Discrimination Scale".
  
  
  RESULTS
  65 people (27.8 %) reported to have had one or more episodes of depression during their lifetime; 169 people (72.2 %) indicated to have never had any episode of that type before. The words "sickness" and "anxiety" were the terms primarily associated with the word "depression". It was a common belief among interviewees that lonely individuals or those not receiving social support have a higher risk of becoming depressed. We further found that people experience higher levels of internalized stigma when talking about their antidepressant drug-therapy, than the level of perceived stigma would suggest. Opposed to those not indicating depression depressed people indicated that they considered the use of antidepressant medication helpful and a good option, if necessary. Stigma can still be found among those not indicating depression as well as among those with symptoms of depression. Based on the current study we conclude that work in the field of destigmatisation is of great importance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich, romina.koller@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Helmuth
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haslacher
authors.forename: Klemens
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kienesberger
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmöger
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schosser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001317:Austria; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents