RESUMO

Studies regarding stigma towards mental illness in Argentina blossomed after the first National Mental Health Law was passed in 2010. Methodological limitations and contradictory results regarding community perceptions of stigma hinder comparisons across domestic and international contexts but some lessons may still be gleaned. We examine this research and derive recommendations for future research and actions to reduce stigma. These include tackling culture-specific aspects of stigma, increasing education of the general population, making more community-based services available and exposing mental health professionals to people with mental illness who are on community paths to recovery.

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the knowledge, social distance and perception of social discrimination towards persons with schizophrenia in the general adult population of Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: One thousand two-hundred fifty-four persons were surveyed at different neighborhoods of the city of Buenos Aires. Their knowledge about schizophrenia, personal social distance and perception of social discrimination were assessed with several questions. Afterwards, a scale for each one of these measures was built. RESULTS: Almost half of the general population believed that patients with schizophrenia suffer from split personality and that most of them are dangerous and violent. Knowledge about schizophrenia in the general population was moderate and it was associated with age and education. Almost 80% of the population had less than one-third of the maximum possible social distance score, but their perception of social discrimination was high. Social distance was greater in the elderly. Knowledge was correlated weakly with social distance. Respondents directly related with patients suffering from schizophrenia were more knowledgeable about the illness, but had the same social distance and perception of social discrimination than the rest of the general population. CONCLUSIONS: The persons surveyed felt their own attitudes are more favorable to people with schizophrenia than 'most other people's' attitudes. The elderly should be specifically addressed in specially designed anti-stigma campaigns.

Assuntos

RESUMO

UNLABELLED: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a frequent mental disorder whose affected present high levels of stress and suffering. Diverse diagnostic criteria exist for this disorder. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to establish which are the most sensitive symptoms to diagnose BPD at the present time together with the expectations and treatments of choice of mental health professionals of Buenos Aires city. METHODS: A voluntary auto survey was completed by 116 mental health professionals from private and public institutes of Buenos Aires city . RESULTS: Impulsivity, affective instability and boredom or emptiness were the symptoms referred as the most important to make the diagnosis of BPD. More than half of the people polled reported that the DSM IV was useless to establish the diagnosis of this disorder. Individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy was chosen by the majority of the surveyed as the most important treatment for these patients. Mood stabilizers are the drugs of choice for the pharmacological treatment of impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to elaborate in our country diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines that consider the knowledge and local experience with these patients.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a frequent mental disorder whose affected present high levels of stress and suffering. Diverse diagnostic criteria exist for this disorder. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to establish which are the most sensitive symptoms to diagnose BPD at the present time together with the expectations and treatments of choice of mental health professionals of Buenos Aires city. METHODS: A voluntary auto survey was completed by 116 mental health professionals from private and public institutes of Buenos Aires city . RESULTS: Impulsivity, affective instability and boredom or emptiness were the symptoms referred as the most important to make the diagnosis of BPD. More than half of the people polled reported that the DSM IV was useless to establish the diagnosis of this disorder. Individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy was chosen by the majority of the surveyed as the most important treatment for these patients. Mood stabilizers are the drugs of choice for the pharmacological treatment of impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to elaborate in our country diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines that consider the knowledge and local experience with these patients.

RESUMO

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a frequent mental disorder whose affected present high levels of stress and suffering. Diverse diagnostic criteria exist for this disorder. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to establish which are the most sensitive symptoms to diagnose BPD at the present time together with the expectations and treatments of choice of mental health professionals of Buenos Aires city. METHODS: A voluntary auto survey was completed by 116 mental health professionals from private and public institutes of Buenos Aires city . RESULTS: Impulsivity, affective instability and boredom or emptiness were the symptoms referred as the most important to make the diagnosis of BPD. More than half of the people polled reported that the DSM IV was useless to establish the diagnosis of this disorder. Individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy was chosen by the majority of the surveyed as the most important treatment for these patients. Mood stabilizers are the drugs of choice for the pharmacological treatment of impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to elaborate in our country diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines that consider the knowledge and local experience with these patients.