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Help seeking for common mental disorders.

Verhaak, P., Prins, M., Draisma, S., Spreeuwenberg, P., Meer, K. van der, Bensing, J.M., Balkom, A. van, Marwijk, H.W.J. van, Penninx, B.W.J.H. Help seeking for common mental disorders. Folia Neuropsiquiatrica: 2008(special), p. 75-76. Abstract. World Psychiatric Association & Wonca Thematic Conference 'Depression and other Common Mental Disorders in Primary Care', 18-21 juni 2008, Granada, Spain.
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Introduction: Although a relatively large proportion of the population suffers from depression and anxiety, many of these remain untreated. As far as determinants of help seeking for mental health problems have been studied, they have been limited to sociodemographic determinants, together with determinants of clinical need. Objectives: to identify characteristics of persons with mental disorder that have a positive or negative effect on help seeking,beside those already known, especially psychological predisposing factors, such as beliefs, values an personality. Method: we use NESDA data from the first interviews. Data of 743 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of anxiety and depression are used. Patients reported on their use of services during the past 6 months. Possible determinants for service use are a.o. sociodemographic variables, beliefs about mental health care. Evaluation of past experience with mental health care, evaluation of past experience with mental health care, personality, enabling factors (income, access to services) and clinical factors (severity, co-morbidity, perceived need for care). Results: About 50% of the study sample had contact within primary care concerning psychological problems in the past 6 months, especially with their GPs (42%). 14 % had contacts with specialized mental helath care. Also 14% had contacts with more specialised medical doctors, especially company doctors. 42% indicated to have no contact at all during wich mental health problems were discussed. Important determinats on help seeking were age (younger people wire more inclined to have professional contacts about their psychological problem), neuroticism, belief in professional help, past experince with GP's emotional supprot and patient centeredness and clinical need. Helps sekking in primary care was betterpredictied by past experiences, help seeking in specialized care by belief in professional help. Conclusion: in primary care past performance of doctors or therapists has a decisive effect on help seeking. The high proportion of people, not seeking help for mental disorder might be decreased if the imago fo psychological treatment could be improved. (aut. ref.)