Exploring Internalized Stigma Among Patients With Common Mental Disorders Who Are On Psychiatric Follow Up At Zewditu Memorial Hospital Addis Ababa

Internalized stigma describes the cognitive or emotional process by which a person with mentalrnillness receives negative messages or stereotypes about mental illness, believes them, and appliesrnthem to himself or herself. Internalized stigma has a number of negative consequences forrnpeople's quality of life. It exacerbates mental illness and leads to social isolation, failure tornengage in essential life events, and a low tendency to pursue care, compromising one of the mostrnimportant aspects of quality of life. This study aims to explore internalized stigma amongrnpatients who are on psychiatric follow up at Zewditu memorial hospital. 12 participants werernselected using purposive sampling and interviewed using topic guide questions, then data wasrnanalyzed using thematic analysis. Results indicate that people with common mental disorderrnexperience internalized stigma arising from the discrimination and stereotypes they face. Torncope with the internalized stigma they engage in treatment adherence, religious activities andrnsocial support. This study recommends further researches to be done in this area and mentalrnhealth professionals to engage in possible intervention programs.

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