“It Just Makes You Feel Horrible”: A Thematic Analysis of the Stigma Experiences of Youth with Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

Experiencing stigma is associated with a range of negative outcomes for people with mental health disorders. However, little is understood about the contemporary stigma experiences of young people with anxiety and depression. This study aimed to describe these experiences using semi-structured qualitative interviews. Thirteen young people (aged 16–24 years) who self-reported a primary diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety were interviewed about their stigma experiences. Many experiences and perceptions of stigma were common to all participants. Six themes were developed through thematic analysis of participants’ descriptions. The first theme, ‘stigma is pervasive’, pertains to the way that stigma is expressed to and experienced by all young people with anxiety and depression. Three themes describe the content of stigma experienced by participants: they felt denied, minimised, and blamed (e.g., seen as ‘faking it’ for attention, to avoid responsibility or to follow trends); seen as less than others; and treated as socially undesirable. Finally, two themes describe stigma’s consequences: self-doubt and internalisation; and withdrawal. Some of these themes differ from prior accounts of the stigma experienced by people with anxiety and depression, indicating that the conceptualisation and measurement of stigma in young people need updating to remain relevant.