[The practice guideline 'Anxiety disorders' (first revision) from the Dutch College of General Practitioners; a response from the perspective of general practice].
The recommendations provided by the revised guideline 'Anxiety disorders' are well suited to every-day practice. The multidisciplinary approach reflects the increasing cooperation between primary and secondary care in the management of mental-health problems. The description of the various anxiety disorders and the questions that can be asked to elicit the symptoms will facilitate recognition. The indications for treatment with medication are clear: a limited number of antidepressants should be used. Although it is agreed that patient education is an important part of treatment, the guidelines could have described in more detail how this should be done. Cognitive-behavioural techniques may be used but this requires extra training; its effectiveness when used by general practitioners needs further study. This guideline will add to existing knowledge and improve the skills of general practitioners in dealing with anxiety.
van Weel-Baumgarten
E M
EM
Universitair Medisch Centrum St Radboud, afd. Huisartsgeneeskunde, 229 HSV, Postbus 9101, 65oo HB Nijmegen. e.vanweel-baumgarten@educ.umcn.nl
van Rijswijk
E
E
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012955:Societies, Medical
D000928:Antidepressive Agents