The co-occurrence of major depression and anxiety disorders is extremely common and reciprocal. It is estimated that more than half of individuals with a primary diagnosis of a depressive disorder also have an anxiety disorder, and the reverse is also true for those with a primary diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. This high comorbidity rate means that having an anxiety disorder significantly increases the risk of developing a major depressive episode within the following year, a risk that is particularly high for those with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder. While this risk decreases after the first year, it remains elevated compared to the general population. This comorbidity is believed to be even more prevalent in primary care settings than in the general public.