The Detection and Consequences of Anxiety in Clinical Depression

Anxiety symptoms and comorbid anxiety are common in depressive syndromes, and there is evidencethey are associated with increased severity of depression and a poorer outcome. Anxiety andagitation symptoms also appear to be an acute risk factor for suicide in patients who have major affectivedisorder, an observation that has been supported by a number of biological correlates. Rapid andaggressive treatment of these anxiety/agitation symptoms with suitable antidepressants or benzodiazepinesshould be considered in order to avoid the immediate risk of suicide and to permit successfultreatment of the affective disorder.