Studies in depressive disorders suggest that 15-20% of people attending their local doctor are depressed, however only one in five are correctly diagnosed and treated. This is particularly disturbing given that the incidence of suicide in depression is as high as 15%, and that 70% of people who suicide have a known depressive illness.

 The situation with anxiety disorders is equally poor. Social phobia is common, yet sufferers are unlikely to be treated despite studies showing significant morbidity including high rates of alcohol abuse and depression, as well as sufferers being more likely to be living alone, financially dependent, poorly educated and socially isolated. Panic disorder, whilst less common (lifetime prevalence 3.5%), is also a disabling and chronic condition with high rates of comorbid depression and alcohol abuse, and an increased suicide rate.

 The high prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders, along with the high associated morbidity and mortality, make recognition and treatment important. A range of new antidepressants have been shown to be both efficacious, and cost-effective in these disorders.