comparison of total self-stigma between schizophrenia and alcohol dependence patients

Background: self-stigma severely affects individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and alcohol dependence syndrome (ads) as well as act as a barrier to recovery process. objectives: this study attempted to measure and compare self stigma among schizophrenia and alcohol dependence syndrome patients. patientsandmethods: across-sectional study performedon100 patients, 50 patients withadsand50patients with schizophrenia. a semi-structured data and internalized stigma of mental illness scale (ismis) to assess self-stigma were administered. results: prevalence of self-stigma was more in ads (66%) than that in schizophrenia (50%). the stigma in schizophrenia was significantly associated with unmarried and divorced; education above 12th standard; those who belonged to joint family, and urban region (p < 0.05) while in ads, it was associated with education above 12th standard (p < 0.05). only gender among the sociodemographic correlates was significantly different between schizophrenia and ads patients with self stigma (p < 0.05). the locality and education status were found to be strong predictors of stigma. conclusions: self stigma is more prevalent in ads as compared to schizophrenia and it is a significant problem in both. therefore, there is a need to take specific interventions to improve overall quality of life and reduce stigma.