The authors studied the other recent psychiatric symptoms of 218
subjects who reported having had depressive episodes within the past year
to determine the influence of the nondepressive symptoms on whether the
subjects discussed the depressive episodes with a doctor. Symptoms of panic
and obsessive-compulsive disorders encouraged discussion of a depressive
episode, but symptoms of drug abuse/dependence inhibited such discussion.
The findings illustrate the bias in studying only patients who seek
treatment, point to groups of persons who may need psychiatric help, and
provide insight into the complex process of help seeking.Abstract Teaser