Positive impacts on recovery and self-esteem of a diagnostic revision from schizophrenia to bipolar disorder

The impact of mental health stigma is inflicted upon people diagnosed with mental health disorders, being specially burdensome for conditions such as schizophrenia. As part of a mixed-method research on the recovery of people with mental health disorders, a participant was interviewed and reported significant impacts from a diagnosis reconsideration from schizophrenia to bipolar disorder. This was matched with inpatient medical registers to build a case report. This 45 years-old male participant was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 19 years-old. From that point on, he could not establish relationships as he feared people would eventually ask about his diagnosis, which he considered embarrassing. His-activities were restricted, and he could not work or join the university, which was attributed to a lack of self-confidence, overprotection of his family due to the diagnosis, and a side-effect burden of medication. At his 40th, the medical team reconsidered the diagnosis to bipolar disorder, adjusting treatment accordingly. In the interview, the participant elaborated on the impacts of his diagnosis change, reporting an increase of confidence and self-esteem. He started talking with people as he no longer feared disclosing his diagnosis. He also started new activities and professional plans. This is illustrative of how internalized, negative beliefs of mental health conditions can impact the life course of individuals.