Personality traits predict (not) seeking professional help for common mental health problems

Personality traits may explain why many people with clinical-level mental health concerns do not seek professional help. Among 52,784 participants in the Estonian Biobank, we examined the personality profiles of individuals experiencing significant depression and anxiety disorder symptoms, comparing those who did and did not seek help, as recorded in a nationwide diagnostic register. We also assessed traits’ overall predictive accuracy for help-seeking. Help-seekers tended to exhibit trait profiles more characteristic of psychopathology. For example, even after adjusting for self-reported depression and anxiety disorder symptoms, they had higher neuroticism and openness, and they specifically reported being more stress-prone and feeling unhealthy. Personality traits substantially predicted help-seeking, with nuances (Area Under Curve, AUC = 0.71) outperforming domains (AUC = 0.63), self-reported psychopathology (AUC = 0.65) and demographic factors (AUC = 0.54). Quick, non-invasive personality trait assessments could help detect those less likely to seek help and contribute to early, targeted interventions.