[Diagnosis and drug therapy of anxiety disorders in primary health care].

Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social phobia are common in primary health care patients. They may, however, be difficult to identify, since the patients seek medical attention primarily because of somatic symptoms. Anxiety disorders cause suffering, impair functional capability and are frequently accompanied by excessive use of healthcare services. These disorders are often accompanied by comorbid depression, which must be taken into consideration in the therapy. They are treated with psychotherapy, drug treatment or combination thereof. SSRI and SNRI drugs are the first-line choice of medication.