Abstract
Objective: It has been shown that self-stigmatization causes low self-esteem and social anxiety in bipolar patients. In this study it is aimed to demonstrate the impact of self-stigmatization on psychosocial functioning in bipolar disorder.
Method: The study was carried out with 70 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. All patients were in remission and the remission state was confirmed by a 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score less than 7 and a Young Mania Rating Scale score less than 5. For the assessment of self-stigmatization, sense of stigmatization subscale of Bipolar Disorder Functioning Questionnaire (BDFQ-Stigma) was used. In the assessment of functioning, Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) was applied which includes the dimensions such as autonomy, occupational functioning, cognitive functioning, financial issues, interpersonal relations, and leisure time. In the statistical analysis, regression analysis was performed.
Results: In the regression analysis, R square was found to be 0.205 and the model was statistically significant (F=3.225, p=0.007). The only domain which is affected by self-stigmatization was found to be interpersonal relations (Beta=0.888, t=2.000, p<0.05).
Conclusion: It is concluded that self-stigmatization has negative impact on interpersonal relations by causing social anxiety as demonstrated previously. On the other hand self stigmatization does not show any adverse effect on the other dimensions of FAST including occupational functionality.

Key words: bipolar disorder, stigmatization, functionality, interpersonal relations