Anxiety and depression in Swedish primary care has rarely been studied. A national sample of 131 primary care physicians and their 1,348 patients during one day in September 2001 responded to questionnaires on somatic disease, social conditions, treatments, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. A total of 23% of the patients had generalized anxiety and/or depression with or without receiving treatment, i.e. the most common category following musculoskeletal conditions. The appointment was caused by anxiety in 7.1% of the patients, depression in 8.5%, and insomnia in 11%. This group of patients did not deviate much in terms of somatic and social conditions, except being younger. Doctors were confident in diagnosing and treating them. Five key questions can be used in primary care to screen for these common psychiatric conditions.