Mental disorders and referrals to mental health specialists by general practitioners

In a population study we analysed psychiatric help-seeking directed to gene ral practitioners (GPs) and looked at who was referred to and received trea tment from psychiatrists or psychologists. A random sample of 2015 persons were interviewed on a large number of variables, of which five groups were used in logistic regression analysis to find what accounted for (1) help-se eking addressed to GPs, (2) prior (not during the last 12 months) referral from GPs to, and treatment from, a psychiatrist or psychologist, and (3) cu rrent specialist referral/treatment (referral to/treatment from a psychiatr ist/psychologist in the last 12 months). A total of 38 variables were cover ed in the areas of demographics, social support, life events and general we ll-being, and mental health (HSCL-25), with six personality-related variabl es. The conclusions are: (I) The strongest predictor of former and current help-seeking was high current symptom rating (HSCL-25). (2) Demographic var iables played a limited role in explaining help-seeking. (3) Personality-re lated variables played a more important role in the referral/treatment grou ps than most demographic variables. Compared with those not being referred, people currently seeing or having seen a psychiatrist/psychologist describ ed themselves as easily worried, but at the same time having an attitude of speaking out and of not accepting a below-par life situation.