Professional Psychological Help-Seeking Experience of Adolescents With Depressive Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Purpose The current study explored adolescents' experiences in seeking professional psychological help for depressive disorder, aiming to inform targeted health education and intervention programs. Method Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 adolescent inpatients with depressive disorder at a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Henan Province between June and September 2024, using purposive sampling. Interview data were systematically analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. Results Three main themes and nine sub-themes emerged: (1) Cognitive Bias (poor knowledge of the disease, stigma); (2) Perceived Barriers to Help-Seeking (economic burden, skepticism about professional help, limited access to professional psychological help, alexithymia); and (3) Facilitators of Help-Seeking (relief of mental and physical symptoms, emotional stability, social support). Conclusion Mental health professionals should pay close attention to the challenges and needs faced by adolescents in the help-seeking process, provide guidance to correct misconceptions, reduce self-stigma, encourage emotional expression, and expand access to professional psychological help, to increase the likelihood of adolescents seeking psychological treatment.