Table 2 Frequency distribution (%) of the 33 items of MSCQ. N = 256.

1

As long as you are taking mood stabilizers you do not really know if they are actually necessary

11.5

11.1

23.8

53.0

1.82 (1.02)

2.00 (1.16)

2

My doctor listens properly to what I think about mood stabilizers

5.9

7.1

30.3

56.7

1.52 (0.95)

1.53 (0.80)

3

When you have taken mood stabilizers over a long period of time it is difficult to stop taking them

31.0

19.0

22.7

27.3

2.64 (1.14)

2.69 (1.14)

4

With mood stabilizers my depressions and/or manic episodes disappear

15.3

12.5

40.3

31.9

2.57 (1.15)

1.88 (0.85)*

5

My doctor has made me feel confident that mood stabilizers are the suitable treatment for me

9.5

8.7

28.1

53.7

1.93 (1.11)

1.59 (0.90)*

6

When you take mood stabilizers you have less control over your thoughts and feelings

43.9

18.9

21.3

16.0

3.09 (1.05)

2.98 (1.08)

7

My doctor takes sufficient time to listen to my problems

7.3

6.1

25.7

60.8

1.57 (0.97)

1.48 (0.69)

8

You may take fewer tablets than prescribed on days when you feel better

86.2

5.7

4.5

3.6

3.77 (0.71)

3.79 (0.61)

9

Mood stabilizers can alter your personality

39.3

19.0

24.0

17.8

2.82 (1.17)

2.90 (1.09)

10

My partner agrees that mood stabilizers are a suitable treatment for my condition

7.1

5.9

25.4

61.5

1.75 (0.97)

1.45 (0.79)

11

Mood stabilizers correct the changes that occurred in my brain due to stress or problems

13.7

14.9

34.9

36.5

2.20 (1.05)

1.95 (1.08)

12

My doctor has explained the causes of my disorder sufficiently

18.9

12.9

24.9

43.3

2.00 (1.18)

1.96 (1.11)

13

Your body can become addicted to mood stabilizers

30.8

19.4

16.9

32.9

2.50 (1.29)

2.61 (1.16)

14

My doctor takes sufficient time to discuss my emotional problems

8.7

12.4

26.6

52.3

1.61 (0.92)

1.76 (0.93)

15

My doctor has explained depression and mania sufficiently to me

12.9

11.2

25.8

50.2

1.89 (1.19)

1.81 (1.01)

16

My doctor shows sufficient consideration for my views and feelings about his treatment with mood stabilizers

8.8

7.1

30.8

53.3

1.82 (1.11)

1.64 (0.85)

17

Mood stabilizers help me to worry less about my problems

13.4

15.9

33.7

37.0

2.11 (0.95)

2.10 (1.086)

18

My partner agrees that depressive disorder or bipolar disorder is the correct diagnosis of my condition

16.0

8.9

21.9

53.3

2.34 (1.29)

1.60 (0.89)*

19

I receive sufficient psychological support and encouragement from my doctor

9.2

10.0

28.9

51.9

1.64 (0.97)

1.66 (0.84)

20

My doctor fully understands my condition

7.4

10.3

21.9

60.3

1.55 (0.975)

1.69 (0.92)

21

My doctor strongly emphasises that it is important to take the mood stabilizers regularly

5.7

3.7

20.5

70.1

1.52 (0.98)

1.35 (0.77)

22

My doctor is really interested in my problems

6.6

7.5

22.8

63.1

1.50 (1.00)

1.51 (0.83)

23

If you forget to take the mood stabilizer on a certain day, it is better to take an additional dose the following day

81.6

7.8

6.5

4.1

3.75 (0.69)

3.64 (0.82)

24

Your body can become immune to mood stabilizers

42.3

21.6

19.4

16.7

2.64 (1.16)

3.05 (1.08)*

25

My doctor listens properly when I tell him what it is like to be depressed

9.2

10.5

28.5

51.8

1.70 (1.05)

1.70 (0.88)

26

You may take more tablets than prescribed on days when you feel more depressed

87.1

6.2

2.5

4.1

3.80 (0.55)

3.85 (0.51)

27

My doctor understands my feelings and thoughts in depression and mania perfectly

11.3

11.8

30.7

46.2

1.66 (1.01)

1.88 (0.96)

28

My doctor has explained properly about mood stabilizers, their action and side effects

11.5

11.1

28.0

49.4

1.82 (1.04)

1.75 (1.01)

29

My doctor listens properly to what I consider to be the causes of my depression and/or manias

10.1

8.8

32.5

48.7

1.70 (1.00)

1.78 (0.93)

30

Skipping a day now and again prevents your body from becoming immune to the mood stabilizers

87.5

9.2

2.1

1.3

3.84 (0.53)

3.83 (0.47)

31

I think my depression and/or manic episodes are mainly due to factors associated with my personality

20.3

18.6

34.2

26.8

2.36 (1.14)

2.23 (1.06)

32

My emotional problems are solved by the mood stabilizers

27.5

24.2

30.8

17.5

2.77 (1.05)

2.61 (1.10)

33

Mood stabilizers make me stronger so I will be able to deal more efficiently with my problems

12.8

12.8

39.5

35.0

2.11 (1.02)

1.91 (0.98)