Considerations in the management of the patient with comorbid depression and anxiety

Abstract

Purpose: To provide clinicians with guidelines for the assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of comorbid depression and anxiety in the primary care setting.

Data sources: Research-based articles in the medical and psychiatric literature, literature reviews by experts in the field, and DSM-IV-TR.

Conclusions: Comorbid anxiety and depression occurs at a high rate in primary care, and is costly to both the individual and to society. These patients most often present in primary care settings, have more severe symptoms, and require more health care resources. The presentation of depression and anxiety together pose complicated diagnostic and treatment challenges, leading to inadequate diagnosis and treatment resulting in unnecessary patient distress and increased utilization of health care services.

Implications for practice: This article is a review of comorbid depression and anxiety with a focus upon societal and patient significance and impact, under recognition and under treatment, diagnostic challenges, medical comorbidity, treatment considerations, and educational strategies. Effective assessment, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment can lead to better treatment outcomes and improved quality of life in primary care patients.