Anxiety Disorders and General Medical Conditions: Current Research and Future Directions

Evidence that anxiety disorders are associated with general medical conditions is growing. While it is known that medical and mental conditions are often comorbid, research demonstrates that there may be underlying causal mechanisms. Furthermore, comorbid anxiety and general medical conditions are associated with poorer patient outcomes than either condition alone. Comorbid general medical and mental disorders not only affect individual patient health but also strain existing medical systems. Growing health care expenditures and increasing time pressures on clinicians create a challenging environment for intensive therapy in traditional settings. Effective screening, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with comorbid conditions require health systems that are based on interprofessional collaboration, including integrative and collaborative care services. These models encourage the provision of patient care within a network of health care professionals, working together and sharing expertise for more efficient and holistic care. Research on the design and implementation of these systems within the context of anxiety disorders and comorbid general medical conditions is in its infancy. Given the staggeringly high rates of anxiety disorders within the general population and the continued rise of many chronic medical conditions coinciding with the increasing lifespan, mental health and primary care providers should consider how they might implement integrative care methods within their own practice.