Factors Associated with Help-Seeking in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Patients
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objectives : To study about the factors associated with treatment-seeking among the
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients
Methods : A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 87 OCD patients aged 18-80 years
in the outpatient clinic, Department of Psychiatry, Ramathibodi Hospital from July 2017-June 2018.
Participants were divided into 2 groups, which were early treatment-seeking and delayed treatmentseeking
group. The questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, Thai self-report version
of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale-Second Edition, Interview on help-seeking
(Thai version). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test.
Results : Total of 87 patients, 62.1% were the delayed treatment-seeking group and 37.9% were the early
treatment-seeking group. In the delayed group, the mean length of delay in seeking treatment was
9.52±7.483 years. There were no difference in socioeconomic status, comorbidity and severity of the
disorder between both groups, but the patients with less income 30,000/month were likely to be
delayed their treatment-seeking (P =0.023). Both groups recognized the problem when they realized
that their behaviors changed, they couldn’t control their behavior/thoughts and symptoms interfered
more in their daily activities. Regards to factors which delayed the treatment-seeking, both groups
mostly reported the belief that the problem was not serious, thoughts that they could control the problem
and the belief that problem was temporary. Factors that affected the treatment-seeking were the
problem became more and more disturbing, the problem was not extinguished and couldnot be
controlled, and the problem interfered daily activities. Moreover, the early treatment-seeking group
had higher income, reported more belief that the problem was temporary and more fear about
what would be happening to them than the other group.
Conclusion : Factors influencing the decision-making of patients were the realization that their behaviors
have changed, the symptoms were uncontrollable and disruptive to life. Factors that delayed treatment
were thinking about a problem that it was not serious, controllable and temporary. Therefore, raising
awareness of the problem and improving knowledge about the obsessive-compulsive disorder will
help patients to access the treatment more quickly, have better outcomes and quality of life.
Article Details
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