Stigma and mood disorders

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To update the reader on current research on stigmatizing attitudes towards people suffering from mood disorders and to describe recent interventions in this area. RECENT FINDINGS: The public generally feels their own attitudes are more favourable to people with depression than 'most other people's' attitudes are. Among those with depressive symptoms, self-stigma in relation to depression is higher than perceived stigma from others, including professionals, thus hindering help seeking. The main factor that seems to improve the attitudes towards people with any mental illness is personal contact. Moderate improvements in attitudes have been achieved with an online interventi..