Duration of untreated psychosis and pathways to care in first-episode psychosis. Investigation of help-seeking behaviour in primary care.
BACKGROUND
Studies have consistently found that many individuals with first-episode psychosis experience significant delays before receiving treatment. Current research investigating treatment delays has focused on the relationship between demographic factors and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). However, treatment-seeking behaviours in this group have not been investigated.


OBJECTIVE
To examine psychological processes that influence the decision-making process to contact primary care, in individuals with emerging psychosis.


METHODS
The influence of coping style, health locus of control and past health help-seeking behaviour on DUP was investigated in clients with a first episode of psychosis. This involved scrutiny of general practitioner (GP) records in an average of 6 years before the first treatment.


RESULTS
Shorter DUP was associated with more frequent GP attendance in the 6 years before the onset of psychosis and lower health threat avoidant coping scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with short DUP have history of higher contact with their GP and, as a group, tend not to avoid health threats. The study underlines the importance of engaging young people and their families with primary care as one of a series of strategies to reduce DUP.
Skeate
Amanda
A
Birmingham Early Intervention Service, Northern Birmingham Mental Health Trust, UK. A_Skeate@hotmail.com
Jackson
Chris
C
Birchwood
Max
M
Jones
Chris
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013997:Time Factors