Research view
Title: | Stigma, self-esteem, and depression in adolescent patients with epilepsy |
Author: | Heba Fathy, Lamis El Ray, Nagwan Madbouly, Yasmin Shawky-Kamal and Yasmin El-Nawawy |
Abstract: |
Introduction
Epilepsy affects close to 1% of adolescents. Adolescents with epilepsy (AWE)
experience comorbid psychiatric disorders, the most common of which is depression.
Epilepsy in adolescents is associated with a perceived stigma of epilepsy and with low
self-esteem.
Objective
This study aims to evaluate depression, perceived illness stigma of epilepsy, and self-
esteem in a sample of AWE, and to evaluate the association between depression and
the latter two variables in these patients.
Patients and methods
This is a cross-sectional case–control study. Adolescents (14–22 years of age) with
idiopathic epilepsy in Kasr Al Ainy outpatient epilepsy clinic were interviewed using
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I Disorders to assess the presence of
depressive disorders. A total of 30 AWE with depression and 30 AWE without
depression (as controls) were recruited, using convenient purposive sampling. The
Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale was used to assess perceived illness
stigma of epilepsy and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to assess self-
esteem in both cases and controls. Patients with depression were also interviewed by
Beck Depression Inventory.
Results
Perceived internalized stigma of epilepsy was significantly higher and self-esteem was
lower in the AWE with depression compared with patients without depression.
Conclusion
Perceived illness stigma of epilepsy and self-esteem are associated with depression in
AWE.
Keywords:
adolescents, depression, epilepsy, self-esteem, stigma
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Journal: | Middle East Curr Psychiatry 24:22–29 |
Text: | |
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