An investigation of internalized stigma in anxiety and related disorders.

What is it about?

Anxiety and related mental health conditions are common and can have major impacts on people’s lives. Unfortunately, people with these disorders often face internalized stigma, or negative stereotypes that they may start to believe about themselves. This study looked at internalized stigma in 193 adults seeking treatment for anxiety-related disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder/agoraphobia. The researchers found that people with social anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder experienced more internalized stigma than those with generalized anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. They also found that more severe symptoms and having multiple diagnoses were linked to higher internalized stigma. These findings highlight the importance of assessing and addressing internalized stigma in treatment, especially for those with greater symptom burden or multiple anxiety-related conditions.

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Photo by Faustina Okeke on Unsplash

Photo by Faustina Okeke on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Individuals with mental health disorders often face stigma from others and internalize these stereotypes. People with social anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, more severe anxiety symptoms, and a greater number of mental health disorders reported higher internalized stigma than those with other anxiety disorders and less severe symptoms. This study can guide clinicians to alter treatment practices in clients with anxiety and related disorders