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= Paid-up subscribersGuided self-help for anxiety and depression of limited benefit in primary care
09 Aug 2011
A systematic review has concluded that patients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression derive only limited short-term benefit from guided self-help interventions in primary care. Comments Dr Phillip Bland, 'There are good reasons for not prescribing antidepressants to patients with mild-moderate depression of <8 weeks' duration. It is not clear, however, whether we should offer patients a low intensity intervention (CCBT, bibliotherapy or group exercise therapy) or watchful waiting. Guided self-help may be beneficial for a small sub-group of well educated, well motivated patients, but current evidence does not support its widespread adoption.'
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