[Evaluated treatment approaches in child and adolescent psychiatry II].

OBJECTIVES

The principle of evidence-based medicine is to integrate data concerning the efficacy of interventions into clinical practice. This article assesses the level of evaluation of psychosocial, psychopharmacological and combined interventions for mental disorders in childhood and adolescence (schizophrenic disorders, affective disorders, phobias and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa).

METHODS

Three different levels of evaluation were defined for both psychosocial and psychopharmacological interventions: A (> or = 2 randomized controlled studies), B (1 randomized controlled study), and C (open studies and case studies). The level of evaluation was judged on the basis of original papers found in a comprehensive literature search.

RESULTS

The number of controlled studies examining these disorders in children and adolescents is small, especially with regard to pharmacotherapy. However, the efficacy of (cognitive) behavior therapy for depressive disorders, phobias and anxiety disorders, as well as posttraumatic stress disorder has been demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

There is still a considerable need to evaluate pharmacological treatment approaches for schizophrenic and affective disorders. Looking at psychosocial interventions in schizophrenic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders, specific aspects of treatment for young patients should be examined. Overall, the psychotherapy approach evaluated best is (cognitive) behavioral therapy.