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01-08-2020 | Original Paper

Self-Destigmatization Process? Experiences of Persons Living with Bipolar Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Authors: Hélène Richard-Lepouriel, Sophie Favre, Françoise Jermann, Jean-Michel Aubry

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 6/2020

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated subjective experiences of self-stigmatization and self-destigmatization among people living with bipolar disorder (BD). We conducted in-depth interviews focusing on self-stigmatization and self-destigmatization with 22 individuals living with BD. The interview transcripts were thematically analyzed using a mixed inductive and deductive approach. Thirty-six codes were extracted and organized into six themes: language, behaviors, relationships, personal experience, identity, and healthcare. Each theme was characterized by an evolution process, and the codes were distributed in a step-by-step order as landmarks. The process begins with the experience of self-stigmatization, and develops toward self-destigmatization. This study presents a new six-dimension process called the “self-destigmatization process” (SDP), a personal and interrelational process that deconstructs self-stigmatization. Clinicians can use the landmarks of the process for clinical assessment and therapeutic interventions to increase recovery orientation.

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Title: Self-Destigmatization Process? Experiences of Persons Living with Bipolar Disorder: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Hélène Richard-Lepouriel
Sophie Favre
Françoise Jermann
Jean-Michel Aubry
Publication date: 01-08-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00614-7

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Self-Destigmatization Process? Experiences of Persons Living with Bipolar Disorder: A Qualitative Study

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