Perceived Stigma and Its Association With Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Among Patients With Epilepsy

Abstract

The present study focuses on exploring the prevalence and relationship of stigma, stress, anxiety, and depression among patients with epilepsy. This hospital-based study consisted of 200 patients diagnosed with epilepsy using a purposive sampling selected from the outpatient department of the Central Indian Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Dewada, Chhattisgarh, India. Patients were assessed through a sociodemographic datasheet, Stigma Scale of Epilepsy, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. The result of the study reveals that patient with epilepsy perceived 25% of high stigma 61.0% of stress, 55.0% of anxiety, and 47.5% of the extremely severe level depression. In regression analysis, overall perceived stigma strongly contributes 32.9% to the variance on stress, anxiety, and depression in epileptic patients. The present study helps mental health professionals to understand the problems faced by patients with epilepsy and to create awareness about the same in society so that patients diagnosed with epilepsy are not ostracized.

Associations of Problematic Internet Use, Weight-Related Self-Stigma, and Nomophobia with Physical Activity: Findings from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia

“…When university students spend more time on smartphones and social media, they have a greater likelihood of being exposed to weight stigma information or posts (e.g., hate descriptions on being overweight, so-called 'fatshaming') [20], which subsequently increases their weight-related self-stigma. Moreover, when individuals are addicted to smartphone use or social media use, they are likely to be afraid of having no smartphone around and further develop nomophobia and mental health problems [14,22,[49][50][51][52]. Therefore, healthcare providers may consider helping university students to reduce PIU in order to prevent further problems regarding their mental health.…”

“…Although the present findings suggest the possibility that experiencing some level of nomophobia or weight-related self-stigma appears to help improve physical activity, it is not recommended that these be encouraged, but reducing PIU should be targeted as a means to improve physical activity. More specifically, nomophobia and weight-related self-stigma are likely to jeopardize individuals' mental health (e.g., increase psychological distress) [14,22,[49][50][51][52]. Moreover, prior evidence shows that higher levels of weight-related self-stigma may decrease individuals' motivation in physical activity engagement [53].…”

Understanding Stigmatization, Psychological Burden and Quality of Life among Patients of Epilepsy

“…Perceived stigma is a risk factor for the development of psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression in people with epilepsy. According to a recent study, patients with epilepsy perceived 25% of high stigma 55.0% anxiety, and 47.5% severe depression (Ranjan et al, 2022). Epilepsy-related stigma is not only prevalent in developing European and Middle Eastern countries but also in developed countries (de Souza et al, 2022).…”

Perceived stigma, discrimination and psychological problems among patients with epilepsy

“…Perceived stigma is a risk factor for the development of psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression in people with epilepsy. According to a recent study, patients with epilepsy perceived 25% of high stigma 55.0% anxiety, and 47.5% severe depression ( 3 ). Epilepsy-related stigma is not only prevalent in developing European and Middle Eastern countries but also in developed countries ( 4 , 5 ).…”