[Anxiety and depression in patients with medical diseases]

Abstract

Objectives: Anxiety and depression are more prevalent in patients with medical diseases than in the general population. The current diagnostic systems for depression/anxiety in the field of comorbidity, however, are problematic.

Results and conclusions: Higher comorbidity has deteriorating consequences in all bio-psycho-social respects. The aetiologic connections between medical disease and psychological disorders are complex bidirectional somato-psycho-somatic ones. Seven modalities of comorbidity for coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction) and depression/anxiety are discussed. The psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment of anxiety/depression in patients with medical diseases follows general guidelines.