An Investigation of Internalized Stigma in Anxiety and Related Disorders

Anxiety and related disorders are not only prevalent and lead to substantial burden and disability but are also associated with stigmatizing attitudes from society. Internalized stigma (IS) occurs when individuals accept and apply stereotypes and prejudices to themselves. As there is limited information on internalized stigma in individuals with anxiety and related disorders, the purpose of this study was to investigate internalized stigma in a treatment-seeking population with anxiety and related disorders. The sample included 193 adult outpatients (Mage = 34.30 years; woman: 74.1%) at a clinic with a principal diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or panic disorder/agoraphobia. Results demonstrated that participants with social anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder reported higher internalized stigma than those with generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder. Greater symptom severity and greater total number of diagnoses were associated with higher internalized stigma. These results may guide clinicians to assess internalized stigma in this population, especially in the context of social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, greater symptom severity, and comorbidity.