Non-pharmacological treatment of psychiatric disorders in a nationwide population

Abstract

Introduction

Non-pharmacological treatment like psychotherapy is associated with less side effects than pharmacological treatment and is often considered first-line treatment towards psychiatric disorders. The extent and variation of psychotherapy treatment offered in Danish psychiatric clinics over time has not previously been studied.

Objectives

To examine the nationwide use of psychotherapy treatment during 2001-2020 in individuals assigned with a psychiatric disorder diagnosis at Danish psychiatric clinics.

Methods

All Danish individuals aged ≥ 3 years, who were registered with 1) a psychiatric disorder diagnosis (F10-F99) or 2) had a first psychotherapy treatment during the study period 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2020, were identified in the Danish National Patient Registry.

Results

A total of 120,916 (27 %) study participants received psychotherapy treatment during the study period, most commonly individual psychotherapy (65 %) followed by group therapy (25 %). Adults (≥18 years) were more likely to receive therapy (34 %) than children and adolescents aged 3-17 years (15 %). The proportion of treated patients was highest among women (67 %) compared with men (33 %). The median age at first psychotherapy was 25 years (ranging from 19 to 33). 59 % of patients receiving psychotherapy had filled a psychotropic prescription within one year prior to therapy onset, particularly antidepressants (44 %) and antipsychotics (22 %).

Conclusions

The use of psychotherapy for treatment of psychiatric disorders is limited among Danish patients, although national clinical guidelines recommend it as first-line treatment of common conditions such as depressive, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.