“Even I Have a Negative Gaze”: How Depressive Patients Conceptualize Stigma Experiences

Objective – This study aims to explore the differences in mental health stigma experiences between male and female patients while undertaking the mental health care. Methodology/Technique – The study employs phenomenology and gender lens on 29 patients with depression, who were consulting the outpatient psychiatric clinics in Kedah and Pulau Pinang states. An in-depth interview conducted and the data was then transcribed and analyzed using Atlas.ti software, version 7.5. The study presented informed consents to each participant, and had obtained the university ethical clearance. Using thematic analysis, the significance of labelling emerged in two sub-themes, there were “Even I have a negative gaze”, and “They don't know what psychiatric is!”. Findings – The results revealed that being gazed upon disgracefully by others is one of the discriminating factors that hampers their help-seeking effort. Nevertheless, the misconception about mental illness by the society and fear of the unknown potentially discourages them to enrol into psychiatric treatments and causing stigma on mental health. The result, however, uncovered the differences in experiences of mental health stigma in male and female patients lie on the distinctive territory of both sexes, where men usually feel stigmatized in public spheres, while women in both public and private domains. The result was clearly illustrated when intersected with socio-demographic profiles. Female participants who have domestic responsibilities and are financially dependent on their spouses were found to be more vulnerable than male participants Novelty – The study analyses original data. Type of Paper: Empirical.