Factors Influencing Delay in Seeking Care for Mental Illness Among a Sample of Adult Saudi Arabian Patients

Background: Treatment and prognosis of psychiatric disorders could be negatively affected by delay in seeking mental health care. The development of mental health services depends on understanding the reasons for delays in help-seeking and pathways to care and the duration of illness before treatment is initiated. Objectives: The aim of the present study is to examine the reasons why patients with psychiatric symptoms delay their visits to psychiatry clinics in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational, survey-based study that included 268 patients, of which 60.8% were males. Data were collected through a questionnaire (either online or distributed to patients who attend the outpatient psychiatric clinics) in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Results: Most patients were married males below 40 years old, with a university degree level, employed, and having average financial status. The most common symptom reported by responders was anxiety (41.8%). The most common reason in both age groups was the fear of side effects of medication (31.9% in those over 40 years and 18.4% below 40 years), followed by the patient belief that these are non-psychiatric symptoms and will disappear with time. The trial of folk medicine was the least common reason for both age groups (1.8% in patients below 40 years and 0% for patients above 40 years). Conclusion: Fear of psychotropic drug adverse effects was the most frequent reason given for postponing mental health counseling. This could be due to some unpleasant or intolerable effects. Anxiety was the most common psychiatric symptom among patients delaying their first psychiatric consultation. These findings serve as a guide for the improvement of mental health services and psychoeducation in Saudi Arabia.