New AHRQ Publications Summarize Evidence on Treatments for Two Mental Health Disorders

New evidence-based publications from AHRQ can help clinicians, patients and their families make informed decisions about treating major depressive disorder as well as disruptive behavior disorders in children and adolescents:

* Nonpharmacological Versus Pharmacological Treatment for Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: Current State of the Evidenceis a clinician publication based on an AHRQ systematic review that found cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as second-generation antidepressants in relieving symptoms of mild to severe major depressive disorder. Second-generation antidepressants generally lead to a higher risk of adverse events (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, insomnia and weight gain) when compared with behavioral therapy. A plain-language companion publication, Comparing Talk Therapy and Other Depression Treatments With Antidepressant Medicines – A Review of the Research for Adults, is available for consumers.

* Psychosocial and Pharmacologic Interventions for Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Current State of the Evidence is a clinician publication based on an AHRQ-funded evidence review that found psychosocial interventions improved disruptive behaviors in children. Programs that include parent involvement more effectively reduced disruptive behaviors compared with interventions that included only a child component or compared with control interventions. Very few studies support the effectiveness of medications for children with disruptive disorders, but small studies of antipsychotics and stimulants report positive effects in the very short term. A companion publication, Treating Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Teens, is available for parents and caregivers.