Summary:
Introduction: The stigma is an unwanted, defamatory property, a deviant
behavior that deprives someone of the right to full social acceptance, while
forcing him trying to hide, when possible, the cause of this deal. It is a sign
of social disapproval and are therefore often called "social stigma", as
opposed to self-stigmatism, which is a subjective experience of stigma,
resulting from the adoption of the negative stereotypes attributed to him.
Among the situations and disease entities that have at times been stigmatized,
mental illnesses have the highest degree of stigmatization. Among the many
effects of stigma against mental patients, social marginalization and exclusion
from opportunities to work among, housing and social integration.
Purpose: This study aims to add components and fill gaps in research exploring
the stigma surrounding depression and psychiatric drugs as well as to highlight
the complex aspects inherent between these two components resulting from Greek
national epidemiological study. The special interest of this study lies in the
comparative presentation of research data and considering the mediators
influence of these two of component. Namely, the research findings of this
research are to help in better understanding of stigma and mediating factors,
in order to create the stigma reduction programs including new prognostic
parameters, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the mentally ill
and the creation of multidimensional intervention prevention programs and
addressing stigma and Health Promotion.
Methodology-Sample: This study is descriptive, i.e. synchronous
type-epidemiological, using a questionnaire, as depicted the characteristics of
a given situation. The sample of this study was drawn exclusively from the
national telephone database. The telephone interviews were conducted in people
aged 18-69 years during the years of 2013-2014. The participation rate reached
81.8%, with the answers to the 2820 calls were classified as follows: 2188
successfully completed interviews, 203 dialed immediately hung and 429 refused
to participate or did not complete the interview. Statistical analysis was done
using the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS 22).
Results: The sample indicates that depression is considered sign of personal
weakness, but real medical illness and that he would state openly whether
diseased from depression. Participants argue that people suffering from
depression are characterized by unpredictable behavior, and that is dangerous
for other people, nor cause the nosology of the disease. The sample indicates
it would recruit someone who was ill from depression in the past. The attitudes
towards depression, as well as attitudes toward psychiatric drugs exhibit a
homogeneous, ie more specifically urban areas have more positive attitudes to
rural areas, in terms of gender, women show more positive attitudes in relation
to men, as the marital status unmarried and married show positive attitudes to
widows, to educational level demonstrated by the sample that the higher the
level of education is both positive and attitudes. The economically active
population is more positive attitudes in relation to the economically inactive,
and the unemployed. The sample indicates that natural and homeopathic products
are more effective than psychiatric drugs, including psychiatric drugs cause
addiction is harmful and alter the person's personality. 1/3 of the sample that
is sick from depression has sought help from mental health specialist, but
shows positive attitudes.
Conclusions: The research findings of this study highlight the need for
measures in reducing the stigma of mental illness and the search-taking
therapeutic intervention. The research findings are to help in better
understanding of the stigma, to create the stigma eradication programs
regarding mental illness, which would result in the immediate seek treatment
from the mentally ill, with a view to prevention and health promotion of mental
patients but also reduce the pharmaceutical or other costs associated with the
stigma and improve the quality of mental health services of the National health
System.
Keywords:
Stigma, Depression, Attitudes, Ηelp-seeking, Promotion
