Abstract: Insight and internalized stigma are problems that afflict a large portion of people with psychiatric
disorders. Therefore the aims of this study were to assess the levels of insight and internalized stigma and to
determine the relationship between them among psychiatric patients. Descriptive correlational research design
was utilized in this study. This study was conducted at the inpatient unit at Bani- Ahmed psychiatric hospital in
Minia governorate. Four tools were utilized to measure the variables of the study: Personal and Medical data
Questionnaires, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Insight Scale and Internalized Stigma of mental illness
Inventory.
Results: revealed that, the severity of symptoms increased in females, those who resided rural area, widowed
and divorced patients, also, increased among schizophrenia, depression and mania respectively. 61.6% of the
studied sample disagreed that, if someone said they have a nervous or mental illness they would be right. 45.6%
of the studied sample agreed that they didn't need medication. 35.6% were agree that having a mental illness
has spoiled their life and they feel inferior to others who don’t have mental. People can tell that I have a mental
illness by the way I look.
Conclusion: More than half of the studied sample has lack of insight and there was a considerable feeling of
alienation, endorsement of negative stereotypes and experiences of discrimination and considerable social
withdrawal
Recommendations: psycho-educational programs are recommended to improve patient's insight and decrease
their internalized stigma.
Key words: Insight, internalized stigma, Psychiatric patients.