Anxiety in primary care

Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2006 Aug;8(4):291-7. doi: 10.1007/s11920-006-0065-4.

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are common within primary care (PC) settings and are associated with patient functional impairment, distress, and high utilization of medical care services. Data from PC settings indicate that detection of anxiety disorders is low. Furthermore, adequate psychosocial and pharmacologic treatment of anxiety disorders in accordance with empirically validated guidelines remains low in PC. When patients do receive treatment or referrals from their PC providers, a bias exists for pharmacologic over psychological interventions despite theoretical strengths, empirical evidence, and long-term cost efficiency supporting the use of psychotherapeutic interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Objectives of this article include increasing awareness of the prevalence of anxiety disorders in PC, impairment associated with anxiety disorders, issues of detection of anxiety in PC, treatment model and components of CBT, and data supporting the application of CBT to PC to improve patient functioning.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Relaxation
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Self Efficacy

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents