Stigma Associated with Bipolar Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH - BIPOLAR DISORDER STIGMAS
Mental health - bipolar disorder stigmas
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1MENTAL HEALTH - BIPOLAR DISORDER STIGMAS
Methodology
The hypothetical methodology that can be used to study stigma associated with bipolar
disorder is cross-sectional study. This study method can be useful in analysing the anticipated
and experienced stigma and discrimination associated with mental health disorders like bipolar
disorder, schizophrenia and depression (Brohan et al., 2010). Cross-sectional study is a popular
study design in social science and medical research in investigating the social aspect like stigma
in understanding physical and mental health outcomes linked with the mental disorders (Lasalvia
et al., 2013). This study will also help in establishing socio-demographic and clinical level
associations with stigma and anticipated discrimination among the individuals diagnosed with
mental health illnesses like major depressive and bipolar disorders. Large population can be
studied using this research methodology at little expense providing a major advantage in
epidemiological study. In this survey, specific group of individuals who are diagnosed with
bipolar disorder are stigmatized and discriminated is associated with health outcomes can be
investigated. If stigma is correlated with bipolar disorder, this study can be helpful in supporting
the hypothesis that individuals with severe mental illnesses are stigmatized and marginalized
receiving unfair treatment and social exclusion (Corrigan et al., 2003). Therefore, to study
association between bipolar disorder and perceived stigma, cross-sectional methodology can be
beneficial.
Rationale
The research topic “bipolar disorder and stigma” is important to study because high
rates of anticipated stigma and discrimination received by mentally ill patients is strongly
linked with poor physical and mental wellbeing. This discrimination has made many mentally