ARTICLE
Medical students and stigma of depression. Part 2. Self-stigma
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1
Studenckie Koło Neuropsychiatryczne Neuroscience, Katedra Psychiatrii UM w Poznaniu
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Pracownia Neuropsychobiologii, Katedra Psychiatrii UM w Poznaniu
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Klinika Psychiatrii Dorosłych UM w Poznaniu
Submission date: 2016-02-07
Final revision date: 2016-10-23
Acceptance date: 2016-11-26
Online publication date: 2017-02-10
Publication date: 2017-06-18
Corresponding author
Aleksandra Suwalska
Klinika Psychiatrii Dorosłych, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Poznaniu, ul. Fredry 10, 60-701 Poznań, Polska
Psychiatr Pol 2017;51(3):503-513
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ABSTRACT
Up to 30% of medical students suffer from depression. They have better access to healthcare, but still receive appropriate treatment less frequently than people with depression in the general population. Most of them do not seek medical help as depression is perceived as a stigmatizing disorder, which leads to self-stigma and hampers early diagnosis and treatment. Thus, self-stigma means less effective therapy, unfavorable prognosis and relapses. According to the literature, self-stigma results in lowered self-esteem and is a major obstacle in the performance of social roles at work and in personal life. Stigmatization and self-stigma of depression among medical students are also associated with effects in their later professional life: they can lead to long-term consequences in the process of treating their patients in the future. Currently there are no unequivocal research results indicating the most effective ways of reducing stigmatization and self-stigma. It is necessary to educate about the symptoms and treatment of depression and to implement diverse intervention techniques to change behaviors and attitudes as early as possible.