title: Duration of untreated psychosis and pathways to care in first-episode psychosis. Investigation of help-seeking behaviour in primary care.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Early Intervention Service, Northern Birmingham Mental Health Trust, UK. A_Skeate@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skeate
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birchwood
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: 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