Abstract:

Purpose: In Hemifacial spasm (HFS) uncontrolled movements may affect interpersonal communication and these patients may suffer from stigma, depression and anxienty. In this study we aimed to evaluate depression and axiety in patients with HFS and it’s relation with self-stigmatization. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted in 27 patients with HFS and 36 healthy controls. Turkish version of The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale, and Hamilton depression and anxiety scales were performed in both groups. Independent samples t test was used to compare the numeric data between groups and Pearson correlation test is used to investigate the correlation of scales’ scores. Results: There was statistically significant difference in mean values of ISMI, HDRS-17 and HAMA scores. There was not statistically significant correlation between ISMI and HDRS-17 and HAMA scores, but we found strong correlation between HDRS-17 and HAMA scores (r:0.928, p:0.000). Conclusion: Our results suggest that depression and anxiety are common in patients with HFS and stigmatization is an important social problem for these patients. To be aware of this, would be helpful for both psychiatric and neurological condition of the patients with HFS. 

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