A Retrospective Study to assess the Delay in Treatment Seeking and Factors Contributing to Delay in Seeking Treatment among the Caregivers of Persons Having First Episode Psychosis

Abstract

A retrospective, exploratory study on a consecutive sample of 100 caregivers of persons having first episode psychosis was done in OPD, Department of psychiatry, in a selected hospital of Delhi to assess the factors contributing to the delay in seeking treatment of persons having first episode psychosis. Data was collected on tools demographic and select variables, Positive and negative syndrome scale (standardized) and structured questionnaires to assess factors contributing to delay in seeking treatment. The result showed that one fifth of the caregivers (22%) had contact with mental health professionals, Most of them delayed seeking treatment for a long duration (>6 month) for the patients having first episode psychosis and lack of awareness regarding the identification of mental illness was the main factor which contributed to the delay in treatment seeking for first episode psychosis. Implications of the findings of this study are for the professionals in mental health as well as community health services there is a need to provide awareness about early identification of mental disorders and to develop positive attitude towards the treatment of mental disorders and to remove fear of seeking help from professionals in mental health services.