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Anxiety disorders: CPG and associated resources

Clinical guideline Last updated: Jun 2018 Published in Australia

Guidance on the clinical management of anxiety disorders, specifically focusing on diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Resources

Anxiety-Disorders-CPG
PDF (1.7 MB)
PDF (1.7 MB)

Key practice points

  • These guidelines provide evidence-based and consensus-based recommendations for the treatment of adults with panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder.
  •  Consensus-based recommendations were made where there was insufficient high quality evidence to allow specific recommendations for one treatment over another.
  • Initial treatment should be selected in collaboration with the patient from evidence-based options, taking into account symptom severity, patient preference, accessibility and cost. 
  • Recommended initial treatment options for all three anxiety disorders are:
    • cognitive–behavioural therapy (face-to-face or delivered by computer, tablet or smart-phone application)
    • pharmacotherapy (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor together with advice about graded exposure to anxiety triggers)
    • combination of cognitive–behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapy.

Community resources

  • Information for the public on anxiety disorders
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