Treatment of depression and anxiety in physically ill patients

Depressive and anxiety disorders are identified in every 5-th patient who seeks help in primary care physicians. More often, such mental health problems occur in individuals with somatic illnesses than in physically healthy people. This article presents an overview of the evidence base for treatment of depression and anxiety comorbid with physical diseases, as well as the effectiveness of escitalopram. Separately was reviewed the efficacy of the drug in somatized mental disorders, that is, mental health problems, with primary representation in the form of somatic symptoms.

Key words: depression, anxiety, somatic diseases, treatment, escitalopram.