Perceived and Self-Stigma in People with Anxiety and Depressive Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Setting

Background: Stigma related to mental illness remains a major barrier to help-seeking, treatment adherence, and recovery. Individuals with anxiety and depressive disorders are particularly vulnerable to both perceived stigma and self-stigma, which may adversely influence clinical outcomes. However, data on stigma among these common mental disorders remain limited, especially in tertiary care settings in India. Objectives: To assess perceived stigma and self-stigma among individuals with anxiety and depressive disorders and to evaluate their association with selected sociodemographic and clinical variables. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry of a tertiary care center. A total of 52 adults diagnosed with anxiety disorders or depressive disorders as per ICD-11 criteria were recruited using consecutive sampling. Sociodemographic and clinical details were recorded using a semi-structured proforma. Perceived stigma was assessed using the Stigma Scale for Mental Illness (SSMI), and self-stigma was assessed using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables, and inferential statistics including Chi-square test, independent t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Pearson correlation were applied. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 34.6 ± 9.8 years, with a female predominance (57.7%). Participants with depressive disorders had significantly higher perceived stigma scores compared to those with anxiety disorders (45.1 ± 7.9 vs. 39.2 ± 8.1; p = 0.01). Internalized stigma was also significantly higher in depressive disorders (2.56 ± 0.42 vs. 2.24 ± 0.43; p = 0.004). A significant positive correlation was observed between duration of illness and self-stigma (r = 0.46, p <0.001). Conclusion: The study demonstrated substantial levels of perceived stigma and self-stigma among patients with anxiety and depressive disorders, particularly in depressive disorders and those with longer illness duration. Targeted stigma-reduction interventions are essential to improve treatment engagement and mental health outcomes.