Brazilian Psychiatric Association Treatment Guidelines for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Perspectives on Pharmacological and Psychotherapeutic Approaches

Authors

• Leonardo Baldaçara
• Ana Beatriz Paschoal
• Aldo Felipe Pinto
• Fabiano Franca Loureiro
• Luiz Antonio Vesco Gaiotto Antonio
• Diogo de Lacerda Veiga
• Thales Marcon Almeida
• Diogo Cesar Dos Santos
• Leandro Fernandes Malloy-Diniz
• Marcelo Feijó de Mello
• Andrea Feijó de Mello
• Marsal Sanches
• Lucas Marques Gandarela
• Márcio Antonini Bernik
• Antonio E Nardi
• Antônio Geraldo da Silva
• Ricardo R Uchida

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Journal

Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry

DOI

10.47626/1516-4446-2023-3235

PMID

37956131

PMCID

PMC11302992

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

6-10-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Generalized anxiety disorder is a highly prevalent mental disorder. Previous data indicate that more than 18 million Brazilians suffer from this condition. Traditionally, generalized anxiety disorder has been considered a mild mental health disorder, despite its links to lower life expectancy, cardiovascular disease, and suicide. The aim of this article is to combine elements of systematic and critical reviews to produce a synthesis of the best evidence about generalized anxiety disorder treatment. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials were included. The descriptor used in the search was "generalized anxiety disorder," which resulted in 4,860 articles and seven other studies, of which 59 were selected. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines were indicated, as was pregabalin, and atypical antipsychotics, such as quetiapine, have been studied. Individual cognitive behavior therapy (third wave) has proven effective. There is extensive literature on many effective treatments for generalized anxiety disorder. The present review summarizes the therapeutic possibilities, emphasizing those available in Brazil. Further studies are needed to compare other available medications, assess psychotherapies and new treatments in greater depth, as well as to assess the ideal duration of therapy.

Keywords

Humans, Anti-Anxiety Agents, Antidepressive Agents, Antipsychotic Agents, Anxiety Disorders, Brazil, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Psychotherapy, Societies, Medical

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Baldaçara, Leonardo; Paschoal, Ana Beatriz; Pinto, Aldo Felipe; et al., "Brazilian Psychiatric Association Treatment Guidelines for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Perspectives on Pharmacological and Psychotherapeutic Approaches" (2024). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 4441.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/4441