Help-seeking pathways among Malay psychiatric patients

The aim of this study is to explore the help-seeking behaviour of Malay psy chiatric patients. A semi-structured interview based on a standard proforma was conducted to assess help seeking process and delays for Malay psychiat ric patients attending the psychiatric clinic for the first time. Help-seek ing process and delays were defined. Among 134 patients evaluated in the st udy, 69% had visited traditional healers (bomoh) for the present illness be fore consulting psychiatrists. The second popular choice of treatment was m edical practitioner and only a small percentage of them had consulted homeo pathic practitioners and herbalists. Patients who had consulted bomohs were significantly delayed in getting psychiatric treatment compared with those who had not consulted them. Consultation of bomohs was significantly highe r among married patients, those with major psychiatric illnesses and in fam ily who believed in supernatural causes of mental illness. However, there w as no significant difference in age, gender, educational status and occupat ion between patients who had consulted and not consulted bomoh. We conclude d that majority of the Malay psychiatric patients had sought the traditiona l treatment prior to psychiatric consultation. The strength of social suppo rt and the belief of the patients, friends, and/or relatives in supernatura l causes of mental illness were strongly associated with the rate of tradit ional treatment. Deep-seated cultural beliefs were major barrier to psychia tric treatment.