World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for treatment of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and posttraumatic stress disorders - Version 3. Part II: OCD and PTSD.

AIM: This is the third version of the guideline of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Task Force for the Pharmacological Treatment of Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders which was published in 2002 and revised in 2008. METHOD: A consensus panel of 34 international experts representing 22 countries developed recommendations based on efficacy and acceptability of the treatments. In this version, not only medications but also psychotherapies and other non-pharmacological interventions were evaluated, applying the same rigorous methods that are standard for the assessment of medication treatments. RESULT: The present paper (Part II) contains recommendations based on published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for the treatment of OCD (n = 291) and PTSD (n = 234) in children, adolescents, and adults. The accompanying paper (Part I) contains the recommendations for the treatment of anxiety disorders.For OCD, first-line treatments are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Internet-CBT was also superior to active controls. Several second-line medications are available, including clomipramine. For treatment-resistant cases, several options are available, including augmentation of SSRI treatment with antipsychotics and other drugs.Other non-pharmacological treatments, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), deep brain stimulation (DBS) and others were also evaluated.For PTSD, SSRIs and the SNRI venlafaxine are first-line treatments. CBT is the psychotherapy modality with the best body of evidence. For treatment-unresponsive patients, augmentation of SSRI treatment with antipsychotics may be an option. CONCLUSION: OCD and PTSD can be effectively treated with CBT and medications.

Translating science into policy: mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several stressors associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are expected to affect the mental health of global populations: the effects of physical distancing, quarantine, and social isolation; the emotional suffering of health and other frontline workers; neuropsychiatric sequelae in those affected by the virus; the impact to families of lives lost to the disease; differential effects for those with severe mental disorders; and the consequences of social and economic deterioration. In this context, we sought: to form a panel of Brazilian experts on child and adolescent health, neurodevelopment, health services, and adult and elderly mental health; and to compile evidence-based interventions to support suggested policy changes in Brazil to mitigate the expected increase in mental health disorders during the pandemic and its mental health consequences. The following actions are recommended: 1) invest in prevention programs for the safe return of students to schools; 2) adopt evidence-based psychosocial interventions to maintain an adequate environment for child and adolescent development; 3) target socially vulnerable populations and those experiencing discrimination; 4) train primary care teams to solve common mental health problems, provide needs-based assessments, and manage long-term, at-home care for older patients; 5) invest in technological advancements (e.g., telemedicine, e-Health, and web-based algorithms) to promote coordinated care; 6) increase access to and literacy in the use of computers and mobile phones, especially among older adults; 7) expand protocols for remote, brief psychotherapy interventions and psychoeducation to manage common mental health problems.

[Guidelines of the Brazilian Medical Association for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of social anxiety disorder]. / Diretrizes da Associação Médica Brasileira para o diagnóstico e diagnóstico diferencial do transtorno de ansiedade social.

OBJECTIVE: Social anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder. The condition has a chronic course usually with no remission and is frequently associated with significant functional and psychosocial impairment. The Brazilian Medical Association, with the project named Diretrizes ('Guidelines', in English), endeavors to develop diagnostic and treatment protocols for the most common disorders. This work presents the most relevant findings regarding the guidelines of the Brazilian Medical Association concerning the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of social anxiety disorder. METHOD: We used the methodology proposed by the Brazilian Medical Association for the Diretrizes project. The search was performed on the online databases Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs, with no time restraints. Searchable questions were structured using PICO format (acronym for "patient or population"; "intervention, indicator or exposition"; "control or comparison" and; "outcome or ending"). RESULTS: We present data regarding the clinical manifestations of social anxiety disorder, impairments and implications related to the condition, differences between the generalized and specific subtypes, and the relationship with depression, drug dependence and abuse, and other anxiety disorders. Additionally, the main differential diagnoses are discussed. CONCLUSION: The guidelines are intended to serve as references to the general practitioner and the specialist as well, facilitating the diagnosis of social anxiety disorder.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation in anxiety and trauma-related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been evaluated as an effective treatment option for patients with major depressive disorder. However, there are limited studies that have evaluated the efficacy of TMS for other neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety and trauma-related disorders. We reviewed the literature that has evaluated TMS as a treatment for anxiety and trauma-related disorders. METHODS: We searched for articles published up to December 2017 in Embase, Medline, and ISI Web of Science databases, following the Preferred Items for Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Articles (n = 520) evaluating TMS in anxiety and trauma-related disorders were screened and a small subset of these that met the eligibility criteria (n = 17) were included in the systematic review, of which nine evaluated TMS in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), four in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), two in specific phobia (SP), and two in panic disorder (PD). The meta-analysis was performed with PTSD and GAD since PD and SP had an insufficient number of studies and sample sizes. RESULTS: Among anxiety and trauma-related disorders, TMS has been most widely studied as a treatment for PTSD. TMS demonstrated large overall treatment effect for both PTSD (ES = -0.88, 95% CI: -1.42, -0.34) and GAD (ES = -2.06, 95% CI: -2.64, -1.48), including applying high frequency over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Since few studies have evaluated TMS for SP and PD, few conclusions can be drawn. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests that TMS may be an effective treatment for GAD and PTSD.

Respiratory panic disorder subtype: acute and long-term response to nortriptyline, a noradrenergic tricyclic antidepressant.

The goal of the study was to describe with prospective methodology the therapeutic response to nortriptyline in the respiratory panic disorder (PD) subtype versus the non-respiratory subtype. A total of 118 PD outpatients (DSM-IV) were previously divided into respiratory (n=77) and non-respiratory (n=41) subtypes and then treated with nortriptyline for 1 year. Demographic and clinical features were compared in the two groups. Anxiety scales were administered before and during the treatment by raters who were blind to the subtype diagnosis. The principal instruments used to evaluate response were the Clinical Global Impression, the Sheehan Panic and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale, and the Panic Disorder Severity Scale. In the first 8 weeks of treatment (acute phase), the respiratory subtype had a significantly faster response on all the major scales. At the end of the study (week 52), there was no difference in the scale scores, and the reduction in panic attacks from baseline to end-point did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the respiratory subtype, the disorder had a later onset, was associated with a high familial history of mental disorder, and significantly more often required treatment with more than an occasional benzodiazepine. The non-respiratory subtype had significantly more previous depressive episodes. In conclusion, the respiratory PD subtype had a faster response to treatment with nortriptyline at 8 weeks than did the non-respiratory subtype, and an equivalent response after 1 year of treatment.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat refractory panic disorder patient: a case report.

Panic disorder (PD) is an anxiety disorder that is highly disruptive to the patient's life and needs new options for effective treatments. In this case report, we present an application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in a refractory patient resistant to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy who was treated with a combined protocol of rTMS with a sequential stimulation of right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The protocol was conducted 3 times per week during 4 weeks, with one month follow-up. The fact that the patient showed improvement suggests that rTMS can be an effective option of treatment.

Brazilian Medical Association guidelines for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To present the most relevant findings regarding the Brazilian Medical Association guidelines for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of panic disorder. METHODS: We used the methodology proposed by the Brazilian Medical Association for the Diretrizes Project. The MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS online databases were queried for articles published from 1980 to 2012. Searchable questions were structured using the PICO format (acronym for "patient" [or population], "intervention" [or exposure], "comparison" [or control], and "outcome"). RESULTS: We present data on clinical manifestations and implications of panic disorder and its association with depression, drug abuse, dependence and anxiety disorders. In addition, discussions were held on the main psychiatric and clinical differential diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines are proposed to serve as a reference for the general practitioner and specialist to assist in and facilitate the diagnosis of panic disorder.

[Guidelines of the Brazilian Medical Association for the treatment of social anxiety disorder]. / Diretrizes da Associação Médica Brasileira para o tratamento do transtorno de ansiedade social.

INTRODUCTION: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder, usually with no remission, and is commonly associated with significant functional and psychosocial impairment. The Brazilian Medical Association (BMA), with the project named Diretrizes (Guidelines, in English), seeks to develop consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases. The aim of this article is to present the most important findings of the guidelines on the treatment of SAD, serving as a reference for the general practitioner and specialist. METHOD: The method used was proposed by the BMA. The search was conducted in the databases of MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS, between 1980 and 2010. The strategy used was based on structured questions as PICO (acronym formed by the initials of "patient or population", "intervention, display or exhibition", "control or comparison" and "outcome"). RESULTS: Studies show that the first-line pharmacological treatment for adults and children are serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, whereas cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered the best psychotherapeutic treatment. Moreover, some psychiatric comorbidities were associated with a worse outcome of SAD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its high prevalence, SAD does not receive adequate attention and treatment. The best choice for the treatment of adults is a combination of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy with serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Other options as benzodiazepines or monoamine oxidase inhibitors must be used as second and third choices, respectively.

Brazilian Medical Association guidelines for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of panic disorder

Objective: To present the most relevant findings regarding the Brazilian Medical Association guidelines for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of panic disorder. Methods: We used the methodology proposed by the Brazilian Medical Association for the Diretrizes Project. The MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS online databases were queried for articles published from 1980 to 2012. Searchable questions were structured using the PICO format (acronym for “patient” [or population], “intervention” [or exposure], “comparison” [or control], and “outcome”). Results: We present data on clinical manifestations and implications of panic disorder and its association with depression, drug abuse, dependence and anxiety disorders. In addition, discussions were held on the main psychiatric and clinical differential diagnoses. Conclusions: The guidelines are proposed to serve as a reference for the general practitioner and specialist to assist in and facilitate the diagnosis of panic disorder. .

Diretrizes da Associação Médica Brasileira para o tratamento do transtorno de ansiedade social / Guidelines of the Brazilian Medical Association for the treatment of social anxiety disorder

INTRODUÇÃO: O transtorno de ansiedade social (TAS) é o transtorno de ansiedade mais comum, freqüentemente sem remissões, sendo comumente associado com importante prejuízo funcional e psicossocial. A Associação Médica Brasileira (AMB), através do "Projeto Diretrizes", busca desenvolver consensos de diagnóstico e tratamento para as doenças mais comuns. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar os achados mais relevantes das diretrizes relativas ao tratamento do TAS, servindo de referência para o médico generalista e especialista. MÉTODO: O método utilizado foi o proposto pela AMB. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados do MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science e Lilacs, entre 1980 e 2010. A estratégia utilizada baseou-se em perguntas estruturadas na forma P.I.C.O (acrônimo das iniciais "paciente ou população"; "intervenção, indicador ou exposição"; "controle ou comparação" e; "outcome ou desfecho"). RESULTADOS: Estudos evidenciam que o tratamento farmacológico de primeira linha para adultos e crianças são os inibidores seletivos de recaptação de serotonina e os inibidores de recaptação de serotonina e noradrenalina, enquanto que a terapia cognitivo-comportamental é apontada como melhor tratamento psicoterápico. Além disso, algumas comorbidades psiquiátricas foram associadas a uma pior evolução do TAS. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da alta prevalência, o TAS acaba por não receber a devida atenção e tratamento. A melhor escolha para o tratamento de adultos é a associação psicoterapia cognitivo-comportamental com inibidores seletivos de recaptação de serotonina e os inibidores de recaptação de serotonina e noradrenalina. Outras opções como benzodiazepínicos ou inibidores da monoamino-oxidase devem ser usados como segunda e terceira opção respectivamente.

INTRODUCTION: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder, usually with no remission, and is commonly associated with significant functional and psychosocial impairment. The Brazilian Medical Association (BMA), with the project named Diretrizes (Guidelines, in English), seeks to develop consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases. The aim of this article is to present the most important findings of the guidelines on the treatment of SAD, serving as a reference for the general practitioner and specialist. METHOD: The method used was proposed by the BMA. The search was conducted in the databases of MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS, between 1980 and 2010. The strategy used was based on structured questions as PICO (acronym formed by the initials of "patient or population", "intervention, display or exhibition", "control or comparison" and "outcome"). RESULTS: Studies show that the first-line pharmacological treatment for adults and children are serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, whereas cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered the best psychotherapeutic treatment. Moreover, some psychiatric comorbidities were associated with a worse outcome of SAD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its high prevalence, SAD does not receive adequate attention and treatment. The best choice for the treatment of adults is a combination of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy with serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Other options as benzodiazepines or monoamine oxidase inhibitors must be used as second and third choices, respectively.

Diretrizes da Associação Médica Brasileira para o diagnóstico e diagnóstico diferencial do transtorno de ansiedade social / Guidelines of the Brazilian Medical Association for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of social anxiety disorder

OBJETIVO: O transtorno de ansiedade social é o transtorno de ansiedade mais comum, apresenta curso crônico, frequentemente sem remissões, sendo comumente associado com importante prejuízo funcional e comprometimento psicossocial. A Associação Médica Brasileira, por meio do projeto "Diretrizes", busca desenvolver consensos de diagnóstico e tratamento para as doenças mais comuns. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar os achados mais relevantes das diretrizes da Associação Médica Brasileira relativas ao diagnóstico e diagnóstico diferencial do transtorno de ansiedade social. MÉTODO: O método utilizado foi o proposto pela Associação Médica Brasileira para o projeto Diretrizes. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados do Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science e Lilacs, sem limite de tempo. A estratégia utilizada baseou-se em perguntas estruturadas na forma P.I.C.O. (acrônimo das iniciais "paciente ou população"; "intervenção, indicador ou exposição"; "controle ou comparação" e; "outcome ou desfecho"). RESULTADOS: São apresentados dados relativos a manifestações clínicas, prejuízos e implicações, diferenças entre os subtipos generalizado e circunscrito, e impacto com depressão, abuso e dependência de drogas e outros transtornos de ansiedade. Além disso, foram realizadas discussões acerca dos principais diagnósticos diferenciais. CONCLUSÃO: As diretrizes propõem-se a servir de referência para o médico generalista e especialista, auxiliando e facilitando o diagnóstico do transtorno de ansiedade social.

OBJECTIVE: Social anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder. The condition has a chronic course usually with no remission and is frequently associated with significant functional and psychosocial impairment. The Brazilian Medical Association, with the project named Diretrizes ('Guidelines', in English), endeavors to develop diagnostic and treatment protocols for the most common disorders. This work presents the most relevant findings regarding the guidelines of the Brazilian Medical Association concerning the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of social anxiety disorder. METHOD: We used the methodology proposed by the Brazilian Medical Association for the Diretrizes project. The search was performed on the online databases Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs, with no time restraints. Searchable questions were structured using PICO format (acronym for "patient or population"; "intervention, indicator or exposition"; "control or comparison" and; "outcome or ending"). RESULTS: We present data regarding the clinical manifestations of social anxiety disorder, impairments and implications related to the condition, differences between the generalized and specific subtypes, and the relationship with depression, drug dependence and abuse, and other anxiety disorders. Additionally, the main differential diagnoses are discussed. CONCLUSION: The guidelines are intended to serve as references to the general practitioner and the specialist as well, facilitating the diagnosis of social anxiety disorder.