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Barriers to treatment among members of a mental health advocacy group in South Africa

journal contribution
posted on 2002-10-01, 00:00 authored by S Seedat, D J Stein, Michael BerkMichael Berk, Z Wilson
BACKGROUND: As part of an international survey of mental health advocacy groups, information pertinent to patients' concerns regarding their diagnosis and treatment was gathered from South African members of a depression and anxiety support group (n = 404). METHODS: Questionnaires developed by GAMIAN, an international consortium of advocacy groups, were mailed along with explanatory letters and self-addressed envelopes to South African members and members in nine other countries, for completion. Of 1,000 questionnaires mailed in South Africa, 40.4 % were returned. RESULTS: The sample comprised patient members with anxiety-only (39 %), depression-only (8 %), mixed anxiety-depression (26 %), and other diagnoses (27 %). While one-third of respondents reported onset of symptoms before the age of 20, most waited 3-5 years before seeking help. After making contact with the health system, respondents experienced further delays in obtaining a correct diagnosis. In many instances, respondents were poorly informed of diagnosis and treatment (25 %), and nearly half of all respondents discontinued treatment on account of side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: Attempts to improve awareness of mental illness, and better communication between physicians and their patients, might help to break down some of the barriers patients encounter when seeking help.

History

Journal

Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology

Volume

37

Issue

10

Pagination

483 - 487

Publisher

Springer

Location

Berlin, Germany

ISSN

0933-7954

eISSN

1433-9285

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2002, Steinkopff Verlag