Gerhard Schüssler1, Gereon Heuft. 1. Universitätsklinik für Medizinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck. medpsych@uki.at
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.
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.