Undiagnosed Anxiety Worsens Depression

Patients with depression should also be screened for anxiety disorders, say experts.

Dr. Naomi M. Simon, associate director of the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. reported on comorbid anxiety and depression at the annual conference of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.

Anxiety disorder comorbidity is common and can result in "longer depressive episodes, a more chronic course of major depressive disorder, worse psychosocial impairment, reduced chance of recovery from the initial episode of major depressive disorder, and an increased risk of suicide,” said Simon.

Dr. Simon also stated that about half of patients with bipolar disorder will experience an anxiety disorder sometime in their life and should be screened as well.

According to Simon, clinicians should suspect anxiety disorders if their patients have unexplained symptoms or medical disorders, such as heart or lung conditions, or pain-based or gastrointestinal disorders.

Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, and general anxiety disorder.