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Cited by 130Mental Health Treatment and AccessAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychology and Mental Health

Delay to Seek Treatment for Anxiety and Mood Disorders in an Australian Clinical Sample

Open access
Thompson, Anna, Issakidis, Cathy, Hunt, Caroline·2008·Behaviour Change
DOI 10.1375/bech.25.2.71
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Abstract

Abstract Effective treatments for common anxiety and mood disorders exist, yet epidemiological studies reveal that the unmet need for treatment in the community remains high. This study investigates the significance of the initial delay to first seek professional help in this unmet need for treatment in an Australian sample. Help-seeking history was retrospectively reported by 273 new referrals to a specialist anxiety treatment clinic who had a primary diagnosis of an anxiety (78%) or mood disorder (22%). Clinical, demographic and attitudinal variables were tested as potential predictors of length of the delay. Average help-seeking delay was 8.2 years (range 0–72 years). Younger age at symptom onset and slower problem recognition were associated with delayed help-seeking, and older people were more likely to report longer delays. We conclude that delays to first seek treatment are long and contribute significantly to the unmet need for treatment for anxiety and mood disorders, and that lack of problem recognition is a significant barrier to help-seeking.

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  • Participants with GAD reported the slowest problem recognition (10.1 years) compared to other disorders.

    “participants with GAD reported the slowest problem recognition (10.1 years; Thompson et al., 2008)”

    From Treatment histories, barriers, and preferences for individuals with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (2024) · cites this paper as Thompson et al., 2008

    The available indexed passages contain bibliographic metadata (labeled Abstract, no page number), but no study results. Searches for GAD, problem recognition, and 10.1 years found no passage that verifies the claimed delay or its comparison with other disorders. (LLM, conf=0.72)

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Authors
Thompson, A., Issakidis, C., & Hunt, C.
Affiliations
  • Charles Sturt University (AU)
  • UNSW Sydney (AU)
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
Thompson, Anna
ORCID
Hunt, Caroline
Venue
Behaviour Change
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2008-06-01
Volume
25
Issue
2
Pages
71-84
ISSN
  • 0813-4839 (ISSN-L)
  • 2049-7768
DOI
10.1375/bech.25.2.71
OpenAlex
W1978969013
Cited by
130
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 2
FWCI
4.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Behaviour Change (publishedVersion)
  • Charles Sturt University Research Output (CRO) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychology and Mental Health
Keywords
help-seeking delay, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, unmet treatment needs, problem identification, age at symptom onset, barriers to treatment

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