Who talks to a doctor about existing depressive illness?

Data on respondents from household and institutional samples from the St. Louis Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study who reported a depressive spell within the last year were analyzed to determine the type of recent depressive symptoms, sociodemographic and personal characteristics related to recent discussion with a doctor about depressive illness. Symptoms of lost appetite or substantial weight loss, being female and separated or widowed, and not using the Emergency Room as a usual source of care encouraged a recent discussion. Comparison with findings from studies of general mental health services use suggests that influences on help-seeking may vary across psychiatric disorders.