Short course
3.3
Assessing anxiety & depression
Full text
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www.mja.com.au
© 1998 MJA
| Recognising anxiety and depression in a consultation
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The doctor's consultation technique is important: an empathic style, open questions and a willingness to hear the patient out will help reveal the diagnosis. |
| | Many patients with anxiety or depressive disorders initially present with somatic complaints, and are unaware of the emotional origin of their symptoms.
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Depression and anxiety are particularly likely to be missed when:
- associated with physical illness or another psychiatric illness
- symptoms are of less recent origin
- there are cultural differences between the patient and doctor.
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