Experiences and Impact of Stigma increases with increase in severity of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder but not with increase in severity of Depression---A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Dr. Saikat Baidyaa, M.D; Dr. Amit Kumar Bhattacharyyab, M.D; Dr. Paramita Rayc, M.D.

Abstract
Background: Most research on stigma revolves around the attitude of general public towards the mentally ill. Assessment of stigma perceived by the persons with mental illness is equally relevant. The present study was intended to assess whether the experiences and impact of stigma increases with increase in disease severity in persons suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Depression. Methods: 60 patients diagnosed to have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and 60 patients diagnosed to have Depression were assessed cross-sectional using Y-BOCS and HAM-D to assess severity. Stigma Experiences Scale (SES) and Stigma Impact Scale (SIS) were administered to assess the relationship between severity of illness and stigma. Appropriate tests were applied for statistical analysis. Results: Significant positive correlation was noted between severity of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (as measured by Y-BOCS) with SES (Pearson’s correlation coefficient 0.302 and significant p-value 0.019) and SIS (Pearson’s correlation coefficient 0.437 and significant p-value 0.000). It denotes that with increasing severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms stigma experienced by the patient and impact of stigma on the patient both escalated. No significant correlation could be demonstrated between severity of Depression (as measured by HAM-D) with SES (Pearson’s correlation co-efficient 0.206 and insignificant p-value 0.114) and SIS (Pearson’s correlation co-efficient 0.186 and insignificant p-value 0.156). It denotes that stigma experienced by the patient and impact of stigma on the patient both remained unchanged with increasing severity of Depression. Conclusion: Stigma experienced by the patient and impact of stigma on the patient both increased with increase in disease severity in case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder but not in case of Depression.

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