Current management of obsessive and phobic states

Obsessional states show an average point prevalence of 1%–3% and a lifetime prevalence of 2%–2.5%. Most treatment-seeking patients with obsessions continue to experience significant symptoms after 2 years of prospective follow-up. A significant burden of impairment, distress, and comorbidity characterize the course of the illness, leading to an increased need for a better understanding of the nature and management of this condition. This review aims to give a representation of the current pharmacological and psychotherapeutic strategies used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Antidepressants (clomipramine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are generally the first-line choice used to handle obsessional states, showing good response rates and long-term positive outcomes. About 40% of patients fail to respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. So far, additional pharmacological treatment strategies have been shown to be effective, ie, administration of high doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, as well as combinations of different drugs, such as dopamine antagonists, are considered efficacious and well tolerated strategies in terms of symptom remission and side effects. Psychotherapy also plays an important role in the management of obsessive-compulsive disorder, being effective for a wide range of symptoms, and many studies have assessed its long-term efficacy, especially when added to appropriate pharmacotherapy. In this paper, we also give a description of the clinical and psychological features likely to characterize patients refractory to treatment for this illness, with the aim of highlighting the need for greater attention to more patient-oriented management of the disease

Intensive home support for mental health crises: experience of the Trieste territorial crises team, in Italy

Early management of mental health crises is important for a good prognosis and treatment adherence. Ideas have been proposed to address crisis situations at home, aiming to reduce hospitalizations and medication doses and to increase care satisfaction. Identifying experiences of home care for mental health crises can support managers and professionals in proposing innovative practices. This article aims to describe the experience of Trieste, in Italy, which implemented a home crisis team service. The work is carried out in four phases: application of the inclusion criteria for treatment by the crisis team; initial assessment; co-construction of the therapeutic plan; discharge and transition to other services. In one year, the team performed 124 assessments and provided care for 59 people. Regarding psychiatric symptoms, 93% of the patients showed significant improvement at discharge. Considering overall functioning, 81% showed significant improvement. Data show a reduction of compulsory admission rates of 29.4% in the first semester of 2018 and of 78.8% in the second semester, compared to 2017. The home crisis team achieved its goals of holistically caring for suffering individuals and reducing their contact with hospitals.O manejo precoce da crise em saúde mental é importante para bom prognóstico e adesão ao tratamento. São propostas experiências para atender situações de crise em domicílio, com objetivo de diminuir internações, doses de medicamentos e aumentar satisfação com o atendimento. Conhecer experiências de cuidado domiciliar em crises em saúde mental pode auxiliar gestores e profissionais na proposição de práticas inovadoras. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a experiência de Trieste, na Itália, que implementou o serviço de equipe de crise domiciliar. O trabalho é realizado em quatro fases: aplicação dos critérios de inclusão no tratamento da equipe de crise; avaliação inicial; co-construção do plano terapêutico; alta e transição para outros serviços. Em um ano a equipe fez 124 avaliações e admitiu 59 pessoas. Em relação aos sintomas psiquiátricos, observou-se, no momento de alta, melhora significativa em 93% das pessoas. Quanto ao funcionamento global, houve melhora significativa em 81%. Os dados apontam uma redução de internações compulsórias de 29,4% no primeiro semestre de 2018 e de 78,8% no segundo, comparado a 2017. A equipe de crise em domicílio cumpre seus objetivos de cuidar do indivíduo em sofrimento de modo holístico, diminuindo o contato com hospitais