Clinical management of comorbidity in anxiety disorder patients

Clinical social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists treating anxiety disorders will often encounter comorbidity, particularly obsessive-compulsi ve disorder, phobias, depression, substance abuse, and personality disorder s. This article focuses on the assessment and treatment implications of com orbidity. First, the authors discuss the most efficient diagnostic and asse ssment methods. The authors then identify and discuss the special considera tions in sequencing treatment. A determination needs to be made as to the p rimary problem among the presenting comorbid disorders. The authors also di scuss the advantages and disadvantages of single vs. multiple providers, an d sequential vs. collateral treatment.