Help Seeking Behaviour of Psychiatric Patients Before Seeking Care At a Mental Hospital

Chadda, Rakesh Kumar; Agarwal, Vivek; Singh, Megha; Raheja, Deepak

doi:10.1177/002076400104700406

Cited by 155 publications

(157 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…This large group of patients usually visit the traditional faith healers because they are easily approachable and also because they have belief in supernatural cause of mental disorder as well as because of recommendations of relatives and friends. This study is consistence with the earlier research done in India 7,10,11,12 ,which found a signifi cantly higher consultation rate with faith healers in those patients with schizophrenia and delusional disorders. In the current study those patients with psychotic illnesses usually went to faith healers because of the strong belief in faith healers and a belief in black magic as well as in the concept of possession by God.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

A study of help seeking behavior of psychiatric patients

Pradhan

Sharma

Malla

et al. 2014

J. Kathmandu Med. Coll.

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Background: A large number of mentally ill patients prefer to visit non-medical practitioners such as faith healers because of the stigma attached to mental illness and/or belief that mental illness are caused by supernatural powers. Faith healers are more convenient to be approached fi rst because of ease of availability and prevalent cultural belief and persuasion. Objective: The current study aims to fi nd the help seeking behavior of patients suffering from mental illness and whom they approach fi rst once affected, either psychiatrists or faith healers. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among patients admitted in the psychiatric ward of Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital during 1st January to 30 th July 2012. All patients admitted in the ward during that period were informed about the purpose of the study and a written informed consent was taken. In case of psychotic patients, the consent was obtained from nearby relatives. Results: Among 54 patients enrolled in the study, signifi cant number of psychotic patients (n=15) visited faith healers in comparison to only 4 non-psychotic patients. Number of females (n=12) visiting faith healers in comparison to males (n=7) was higher. Patients having belief in black magic were more likely to visit faith healers than those who were nonbelievers. In contrary to the popular belief, patients approaching the faith healers spent more money (>$20) in the treatment than who approached psychiatrists (<$20). Conclusion:The study shows that most of the patients suffering from mental illness prefer to approach faith healers fi rst because of the prevailing trust on faith healers, because they are locally available and because of a prevailing belief in supernatural causation of mental illness.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

A study of help seeking behavior of psychiatric patients

Pradhan

Sharma

Malla

et al. 2014

J. Kathmandu Med. Coll.

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“…Nevertheless, the presentation of psychotic disorders more in the relatively younger age group (<40 years) has also been reported by Barua A, Pradhan SC and Chadda RK et al in the past. [14][15][16] This distribution in this study is highly skewed toward males (69%), which might be attributed to the prevailing gender bias in Indian society, where the illness of a male member is taken more seriously than that of a female patient. But in contrast it was found that females were more affected than males which are cited by Barua A, Shankar H et al study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of socio-demographic determinants of psychiatric patients attending psychiatry outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital of Central India

Adhikari

Niranjan

Ahuja

et al. 2016

Int J Community Med Public Health

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“…7,11 Since the decision of where to seek help involves both patients and relatives, health education efforts should target all members of the community.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health-seeking behaviour of mentally ill patients in Nigeria

Nonye

Oseloka

2009

S. Afr. J. Psych.

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Aim. To determine the health-seeking behaviour of mentally ill patients in Enugu, Nigeria. Design. A consecutive recruitment of 397 patients receiving treatment at the neuropsychiatric hospital in Enugu was done. Using a structured questionnaire, information was obtained from the respondents including their socio-demographic characteristics, their knowledge of the cause of their mental illness, and the treatment that they first employed, with their reasons for doing so. Results. The age range of the respondents was 15 - 75, with a mean of 31.6 years (SD±11 years). Two hundred and twenty- three (56.2%) respondents were male and 174 (43.8%) were female. Treatment options first employed by respondents were prayer houses (34.5%), followed by psychiatric hospital (32%). The main reasons for the treatment options employed were confidence of cure at the place of treatment (46.3%), ignorance of the existence of a mental health service (14.6%), and the belief that the mental condition was not amenable to orthodox treatment (8.1%). Patients’ perceptions of the cause of their ailment most commonly revealed a belief in demonic and spiritual forces. Gender, educational status, attributing of the mental illness to a rational cause, and living in an urban area were significantly associated with the employment of specialist care as the first treatment option. Conclusion. Misconceptions regarding the cause of mental illness still abound among mentally ill patients in Nigeria. Consequently, psychiatric consultation is not usually initially employed, especially in rural areas. Community health education aimed at changing misconceptions, and the integration of mental health services into primary health care services, is advocated.

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Help Seeking Behaviour of Psychiatric Patients Before Seeking Care At a Mental Hospital

Abstract: A substantial number of patients suffering from severe mental disorders seek non-professional care. There is a need of studies in community to assess the help seeking behaviour of psychiatric patients and factors associated with it.

Cited by 155 publications

References 18 publications

A study of help seeking behavior of psychiatric patients

A study of help seeking behavior of psychiatric patients

Assessment of socio-demographic determinants of psychiatric patients attending psychiatry outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital of Central India

Health-seeking behaviour of mentally ill patients in Nigeria

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