[Opinions on psychiatric diseases of the citizens of Novosibirsk: results of a representative study].

Background: Citizens of Novosibirsk were questioned regarding their ideas about schizophrenia and depressive disorders, with one of the main concerns being a comparison with the ideas and attitudes of the German population.

Method: In 2002, a representative survey (N = 745) was conducted among the adult population of Novosibirsk, using a fully structured interview that has been used in previous surveys in Germany.

Results: Symptoms of schizophrenia were more frequently identified as an indication of mental disorder than were depressive symptoms. Psychosocial stress and biological influences were similarly frequently seen as the cause of schizophrenia, with the former prevailing among the respondents in the case of depressive symptoms. Psychotherapy was most frequently recommended as a treatment measure, also for schizophrenia. Supposing that no treatment measures will be taken, respondents assessed the prognosis for both mental disorders negatively. Conversely, interviewees gave a positive treatment prognosis.

Discussion: Respondents from Germany and Novosibirsk showed similar beliefs, especially as regards the importance of biological influences and psychosocial stress and the assessment of psychotherapy as compared to psychopharmacology. However, German and Russian respondents also held differing views: a comparatively strong tendency of the Russian population to consider mental disorders as self-inflicted - an important finding that could shape future anti-stigma programs.