The effect of internalized stigma on the compliance to treatment and quality of li̇fe in patients wi̇th obsessive compulsive disorder

Internalized Stigma is the devaluation, insignificance, secrecy and withdrawal triggered by applying negative stereotypes to oneself. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) which has serious negative impact on social and occupational functioning of a person is a disease characterized by chronic course, obsessions and/or compulsions. The aim of this study was to discribe the effect of internalized stigma on the compliance to treatment and quality of life in patients with OCD. Study sample is consisted of 55 patients diagnosed with OCD, who applied to Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatry Clinic and Gaziantep Üniversity, Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatry Clinic. Sociodemographic data form, Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (IMIS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Short Form (WHOQOOL-BREFTR) and Medication Adherence Scale (MAS) were applied to the patient group. The person who had a criminal history had higher IMIS level than others (p=0,000). There is a significant relation between internalized stigma level and obsession level and between internalized stigma and compulsion level (p=0,000). There is a significant relation, in a negative way, between internalized stigma and quality of life (p=0,000). There is not a significant relation between internalized stigma and compliance to treatment (p=0,061). In conclusion, quality of life studies in patient with OCD should consider the effects of internalized stigmatization.