title: Bipolar disorder and self-stigma: A comparison with schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Even though numerous studies have focused on the effects of self-stigma on patients with schizophrenia, little is known about self-stigma of patients with bipolar disorder (BD). In this study, a self-administered scale of self-stigmatising attitudes of patients with BD and schizophrenia was used to explore these attitudes, examine the potential differences between the two groups and study the factors that influence stigma within groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-stigma of 120 patients with schizophrenia and BD was assessed with the Self-stigma Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Stigma Inventory for Mental Illness (SIMI). Presence of clinical symptoms, overall functioning and level of self-esteem were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-stigma is present in both groups but differs in its intensity. Patients with BD experience self-stigma in a lesser degree without affecting their social life or overall functioning. Patients with schizophrenia adopt more intense self-stigmatising attitudes leading to social exclusion and lower level of overall functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are limited by the small sample size, whereas the inclusion of other questionnaires would broaden our insight to self-stigma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-stigma has a direct effect on overall functioning of patients with BD and schizophrenia tampering the clinical outcome of therapeutic interventions. Therefore, it should be incorporated in every treatment plan and be addressed as a clinical symptom of the mental illness.
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial and Vocational Rehabilitation Unit, University Mental Health Research Institute, 2 Soranou tou Efessiou, 15601 Athens, Attica, Greece. Electronic address: vkaridi@epipsi.gr.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Karidi
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial and Vocational Rehabilitation Unit, University Mental Health Research Institute, 2 Soranou tou Efessiou, 15601 Athens, Attica, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vassilopoulou
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial and Vocational Rehabilitation Unit, University Mental Health Research Institute, 2 Soranou tou Efessiou, 15601 Athens, Attica, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Savvidou
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vitoratou
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial and Vocational Rehabilitation Unit, University Mental Health Research Institute, 2 Soranou tou Efessiou, 15601 Athens, Attica, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maillis
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial and Vocational Rehabilitation Unit, University Mental Health Research Institute, 2 Soranou tou Efessiou, 15601 Athens, Attica, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rabavilas
authors.affiliation: Psychosocial and Vocational Rehabilitation Unit, University Mental Health Research Institute, 2 Soranou tou Efessiou, 15601 Athens, Attica, Greece.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Stefanis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004645:Empathy; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bipolar disorder; SIMI; Schizophrenia; Self-stigma