[Adequacy of treatment for chronic anxiety or depression; an exploratory study of treatment practice]

Many patients with anxiety or depression receiving specialised outpatient treatment at mental health centres do not fully recover. Relapse and chronic course are common. This raises questions about the adequacy of the treatment they receive.
AIM: To obtain insight into the type and length of the treatment given to patients with chronic anxiety or depression.
METHOD: We collected data as part of a national study involving 12 mental health trusts. To be included in the study, patients had to satisfy certain criteria: they had to have received specialised treatment for anxiety or depression for at least two years and there had to be concerns whether these patients would benefit from further treatment in this setting. We gathered information about patient characteristics, diagnosis and treatment history.
RESULTS: On the basis of our selection criteria, 268 patients participated in our study; 65% of the patients were female. Patients were grouped in three categories: 67% were suffering from major depression, 25% from anxiety disorder and 8% from comorbid anxiety and depression. On average, patients had been treated for six years. More than one third of patients had received poor-quality treatment: treatment in the form of psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy had not been carried out in accordance with treatment guidelines.
CONCLUSION: In practice, much current treatment falls short of expectations. In particular, pharmacotherapy for depression needs to be improved. Longer periods of treatment should be evaluated at least once every six months.