ECONOMIC BURDEN AND REASONS FOR DELAY IN FIRST PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATION – AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

ABSTRACT It is estimated that in India about 25% population is suffering from severe mental illness and 10% have minor mental illnesses. In India, with its mix of rural and urban environment and cultural diversity, the proportion of the patients attending the psychiatric consultation, once the disorder is recognized is limited. Prevention of psychiatric disorders is complex due to its multifactorial etiology, such as genetic factors, life stressors, and neurochemical changes in the body. Though it is difficult to control all of these factors in order to prevent psychiatric disorders, the progression of the psychiatric illness can be interrupted by early identification and intervention. Early detection and intervention of the condition can shorten the duration of mental illness. Early treatment can also prevent complications and deterioration, i.e. severe disability, increased recurrence of episodic disorders, death due to suicide, and care giver burden. This study was conducted to detect the delay duration and various reasons for delay in first psychiatric consultation, in the patients attending the psychiatric out-patient department. KEYWORDS: First Psychiatric Consultation, Economic Burden, Multifactorial Etiology, Diagnosis and Duration of Delay, Traditional Healing