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To seek advice or not to seek advice about the problem: the help-seeking dilemma for obsessive-compulsive disorder

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Abstract

Background

Although obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with considerable distress, it has been reported that OCD patients delay considerably in seeking treatment for their problem. The present study aimed to explore some variables hypothetically involved in the help-seeking process among OCD patients.

Methods

Twenty-six OCD patients without comorbid conditions completed the Interview of Help-Seeking, specifically designed for this study, which assesses to what extent patients delay seeking treatment for their problem, and three group of variables: factors influencing the recognition of the problem, reasons for delaying the treatment-seeking, and reasons for finally seeking treatment. Participants also completed OCD measures, as well as a questionnaire on thought control strategies.

Results

The mean length of delay in seeking treatment was 39.38 (SD = 50.95) months, and a great variety of reasons for delaying were observed. The OCD patients who delayed consultation longer, in comparison with patients who delayed less time, used fever social control strategies, and they were less aware of the interference and behavioral changes associated with the problem.

Conclusions

To gain more insight about the problem and to experience greater interference from the symptoms were determinants in the active search for help. Conversely, the main barriers to the help-seeking were the fears of stigma and the meaning of the thought contents. Additionally, the fact that patients are willing to disclose their obsessions to other people may favor an adequate representation of the problem and the need to seek mental health treatment.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia and EC Feder funds (Grant no. SEJ2006/03893-PSIC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Personality Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Amparo Belloch PhD (Prof.)

  2. Depto. de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamientos Psicológicos, Facultad de Psicología, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain

    Amparo Belloch PhD (Prof.)

  3. Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, Dept. 06, Diputación de Valencia, USM, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain

    Gema del Valle & Carmen Carrió

  4. Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, Dept. 05, Agencia Valenciana de Salud, Paterna, Valencia, Spain

    Carmen Morillo

  5. Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, Dept. 05, Agencia Valenciana de Salud, Foios, Valencia, Spain

    Elena Cabedo

Authors
  1. Amparo Belloch PhD
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  2. Gema del Valle
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  3. Carmen Morillo
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  4. Carmen Carrió
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  5. Elena Cabedo
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Correspondence to Amparo Belloch PhD.

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Belloch, A., del Valle, G., Morillo, C. et al. To seek advice or not to seek advice about the problem: the help-seeking dilemma for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 44, 257–264 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0423-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0423-0

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