Antidepressant awareness and stigmatizing attitudes toward depression and antidepressants, a comparison between first and sixth-year medical students

Abstract

Background and aim: Psychiatric disorders and antidepressant usage rates have increased over the years. However, prejudice, self, and public stigma continue to impede patients from receiving appropriate treatment, especially in traditional societies. In this study, the views of first and sixth-year medical students were examined. We aimed to show the potential effect of public information and 6 years of medical education on knowledge and awareness. Method: Our target population was first and sixth-year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey, during the semester 2018–2019. For measurement, widely used scales such as the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory were administered. In addition, scales formed specifically by our research team: Sociodemographic information form and Depression and Antidepressant Awareness and Knowledge Scale were used. Results: Compared to first-year participants, sixth-year participants had significantly less stigmatizing views on individual statements. The overall stigma score of sixth-year participants was significantly lower ( p < .05) than first-year participants. Linear Regression Analysis showed that the only predictor of overall stigma score was the depression score ( p < .05, beta = −0.36), which acted as a negative predictor. Discussion: Sixth-year participants had higher rates of diagnosed psychiatric illness and psychiatric drug usage. Interestingly, the score was not a predictor of the overall stigma score. However, in the responses to individual statements, we observed an overall increase in knowledge and decreased stigma among the sixth-year participants compared to first-year participants. The effects of medical education on knowledge are significant overall. On the other hand, the level of knowledge and beliefs of our first-year participants, which are similar to the public, show a worrisome situation indicating that broader public education efforts are needed. Our study shows an encouraging perspective, indicating that public awareness campaigns can be very effective in increasing knowledge and decreasing misconceptions.

Emotional distress and psychiatric drug use among students in an Italian medical school

“…[ 28 29 ] The most frequent use of psychiatric drugs in the 6 th year of study may be interpreted as a use of self-medication for higher levels of depression and anxiety or related to less stigmatization toward mental health problems and their medications by this year group. [ 37 ]…”

Web Survey of Turkish Pharmacy Students Comparing First and Fifth Years’ Antidepressant Awareness and Stigmatizing Attitudes Regarding Depression and Anxiety

“…The DAKAS developed by Nalcakan et al focuses on the use of antidepressants and some specific perspectives on depression [ 10 ]. The scale consists of two parts: A stigma component (Section A).…”

“…Despite this increase, patients continue to face barriers to have access to appropriate care due to persistent prejudice [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], self-stigma, or public stigma [ 8 , 9 ]. According to a survey of Turkish medical students, 70.4–78.9% of respondents think that social stigmatization has a detrimental effect on adherence to antidepressants [ 10 ].…”

Initiating Antidepressant Medication: What is the Most Important Factor?

“…A survey of randomly selected individuals in two German cities in 2001 showed a high rate of negative beliefs about antidepressant medication: 80% of respondents believed that antidepressants were addictive, 71% believed that antidepressants had negative effects, 69% believed that antidepressant medication changed a person's personality, and 57% believed that a person does not remain themselves if they take medication for depression [1]. Although these data were collected 20 years ago, many of the same attitudes persist among patients today [2].…”

“…These beliefs about antidepressant medication can affect how patients view their physicians, depending on the treatment approach they take [2]. Patients may have a poor opinion of physicians who prescribe antidepressants and may consider them to lack empathy, whereas they view physicians who prescribe only talk therapy as better and more empathetic professionals [1].…”