The experience and impact of stigma in Saudi people with a mood disorder.

Background: Stigma plays a powerful role in an individual's attitude towards mental illness and in their seeking psychiatric and psychological services. Assessing stigma from the perspective of people with mood disorders is important as these disorders have been ranked as major causes of disability.

Objectives: To determine the extent and impact of stigma experiences in Saudi patients with depression and bipolar disorder, and to examine stigma experiences across cultures.