By Andres Barkil-Oteo
Psychiatry has attempted to cope with its identity problem (April 7, p 1274) mainly by assuming an evidence-based approach, favoured throughout medicine. Evidence-based, however, became largely synonymous with psychopharmacological approaches, with relative disregard for other evidence-based modalities.
This situation has created a dilemma since the evidence for many common medication-prescribing practices is being challenged, whereas many of the psychological approaches have very solid evidence but are underused (eg, family psychoeducation). A good example is the extensive use of second-generation antipsychotic drugs, despite evidence of their lack of superiority over first-generation medication, as well as additional economic cost and the added burden of medical complications.
The entire response is here.
This situation has created a dilemma since the evidence for many common medication-prescribing practices is being challenged, whereas many of the psychological approaches have very solid evidence but are underused (eg, family psychoeducation). A good example is the extensive use of second-generation antipsychotic drugs, despite evidence of their lack of superiority over first-generation medication, as well as additional economic cost and the added burden of medical complications.
The entire response is here.
