Anxiety disorders seen in primary care.

Area of Science:

• Family Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Anxiety disorders are frequently diagnosed in primary care settings.
• Family physicians are often the first point of contact for patients experiencing anxiety.
• Commonly observed anxiety disorders include panic disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a clinical overview of syndromal anxiety disorders in a family practice context.
• To outline the various treatment modalities available for anxiety disorders in primary care.
• To guide primary care physicians in selecting appropriate pharmacotherapy for anxiety.

Main Methods:

• Clinical overview based on family practice observations.
• Review of common anxiety disorders encountered by primary care physicians.
• Discussion of psychotherapeutic, behavioral-cognitive, and pharmacotherapeutic treatment options.

Main Results:

• Panic disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder are prevalent in family practice.
• Treatment options encompass psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy.
• Pharmacotherapeutic choices include benzodiazepines, heterocyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Conclusions:

• Primary care physicians play a crucial role in the initial diagnosis and management of anxiety disorders.
• A range of treatment strategies, including pharmacotherapy, are available for primary care settings.
• Specialized medications like monoamine oxidase inhibitors require experienced physician oversight.