“Asking for help, quite a challenge”. Time from onset of symptoms to consultation with a psychiatrist

Introduction One of the biggest challenges for primary care professionals is to know when it appropriate request a consultation with psychiatrist. A complete medical history should be performed detect anxious-depressive symptoms, as well determine intensity, trigger, time evolution, and functional repercussion (1). It also important that patient able express his or her symptoms ask help. The concept “Alexitimia” refers difficulty expressing feelings verbally, frequent symptom in depressive patients (2). In mild cases little repercussion, physician himself can initiate treatment follow up (3). However, on other occasions, will advisable psychiatry. Objectives main objective observe elapses from onset until Mental Health team finally requested. Some preliminary results already obtained this data collection. Methods We have decided carry out descriptive study, collecting different variables attending first Psychiatry consultation. Results total sample 208 patients, majority (67%) were between 31 60 years old. Following DSM-V criteria (4), classified into groups according their disorder: Adaptive, depressive, other. These cross-referenced (Figure 1). Subsequently, elapsed (referred by patients) was collected, referral processed. order make comparison, average (in days) calculated age diagnosis. Those under 30 referred psychiatry later. downward trend seen range increased. “younger than 30” “between 60” groups, who met Depressive Disorder took longer referred, which striking considering they are usually considered more severe 2). This attributed greater emotions (alexithymia), another symptom. Disaggregating these gender, clearly longest men old final diagnosis 3). gender difference consistent social impact alexithymia some articles (5). Image: Image 2: 3: Conclusions physicians how take those anxiety depression. many cases, themselves difficulties may discomfort. lead delay requested, therefore worsening symptoms. Disclosure Interest None Declared