Pillars of Health 4: Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are two very common mental health problems that family physicians like myself are seen for on a regular basis.  Major depression affects about 8% of the US population, and generalized anxiety disorder affects about 3% of the population.  Anxiety and depression both can have a negative effect on the perceived negative consequences of diabetes, which could potentially lead to inadequate diabetes care.  In heart disease, depression has almost as much of a negative effect on heart attack risk as smoking!  It is also an independent risk factor for future heart events.  Next we’ll talk about some things that people can do to get a good diagnosis.