[Anxiety and depression in patients with medical diseases].
OBJECTIVE
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.


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.
Schüssler
Gerhard
G
Universitätsklinik für Medizinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck. medpsych@uki.at
Heuft
Gereon
G
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012803:Sick Role