Internalized stigma in patients with severe mental illness (SMI): A cross-sectional study from Northwestern India.

Background: Stigma is prevalent among patients with severe mental disorders; however, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluation that accounts for the contextual heterogeneity across India. Aim: This study aimed to examine the extent of stigma and associated factors in individuals with severe mental illnesses. Methods: The research involved a sample of 200 patients in clinical remission, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia (N = 64), bipolar disorder (BD) (N = 68), and recurrent depressive disorder (RDD) (N = 68). The participants were assessed using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale and Participation scale. Results: Patients suffering from schizophrenia and BD reported significantly more stigma in comparison to those with RDD. However, the levels of stigma between schizophrenia and BD did not differ markedly. Schizophrenia patients showed greater social withdrawal and resistance to stigma, while those with bipolar disorder were more likely to endorse stereotypes and report experiences of discrimination. No significant association was found between demographic factors and stigma among the schizophrenia and bipolar groups. Conversely, in the RDD group, older age was linked to lower levels of stigma across various domains. Conclusions: Individuals with schizophrenia and BD face greater internalized stigma than those with RDD, highlighting distinct domain-specific patterns and differences in the extent of stigma experienced across severe mental disorders.