The self-disclosure of mental health problems : its extent, predictors and consequences for people with psychotic disorders

Objectives : the analysis of the extent, sociodemographic and clinical predictors, and consequences of disclosing mental health problems for people with psychotic disorders. Methods : 147 individuals with a diagnosis of psychotic disorder (ICD-10 categories F20–F29) were examined with questionnaires to assess the extent and consequences of their disclosing of mental health problems to others, as well as their social functioning, depressive symptoms, and the global severity of psychopathological symptoms. Results : the majority of respondents talked openly about their mental health problems to their parents, spouses or life partners, as well as physicians and other non-psychiatric health care professionals, while a substantial minority (less than one-fifth) talked about these issues to casual acquaintances, neighbors, teachers and lecturers, co-workers, police officers and municipal guards, representatives of the court system, or public officials. Multiple regression analysis showed that the older the respondents were, the less willing they were to disclose their mental problems to others (β = –0.34; p <0.05). In contrast, the longer they were ill, the more inclined they were to disclose their mental health issues (β = 0.29; p <0.05). Disclosure of mental health problems had varying effects on the subjects’ social relationships, with a significant proportion reporting no difference in the way they were treated by others, while others reported either deterioration or improvement in this area. Conclusions : the results of the study provide clinicians with practical guidance on supporting and assisting patients with psychotic disorders in the process of making informed decisions about “coming out”.