OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyse the correlation between depression, anxiety, and tinnitus handicap in patients with primary tinnitus. METHODS: A total of 102 patients (41 men, 61 women; mean age ± SD: 56.8 ± 11.6 years) were examined. They completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Symptom-Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Correlations were analysed using Pearson's and Spearman's tests. Logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The demographic data suggested a slight female predominance. The THI questionnaires indicated a worsening handicap in 73.5% of the patients, of which the 'mild' category was the most frequent, followed by severe handicaps. According to BDI, 69.6% of individuals fell in the normal category, with mild cases being the most frequent. Of the two psychiatric symptoms, depression (BDI) and tinnitus were strongly correlated (rho= 0.579, < .0001*). The correlation was also significant according to the SCL-90-R depression questions (rho= 0.523, < .0001*). Upon comparing the depressive scores and the THI subscores (i.e., functional, emotional, and catastrophic), each showed a significant correlation, with the strongest correlation with functional and emotional scores. The correlation with anxiety was slightly weaker (rho= 0.480, < .0001*) but also significant. According to the Kaplan-Meier curves and logistic regression, the appearance of depressive symptoms did not significantly influence the appearance of a worsening handicap [ = .428; OR: 1.124 (95% CI: 0.842-1.501)]. However, a worsening handicap significantly influenced the appearance of depressive symptoms [ < .0001*; OR: 1.35 (95% CI: 1.34-4.86)], indicating that tinnitus has a more expressed effect on the appearance of depressive symptoms than reversed. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation between tinnitus handicap and psychiatric comorbidities indicates the importance of psychological factors in tinnitus management. Tinnitus handicap has a more profound effect on depression scores. To avoid the occurrence of comorbidities, tinnitus handicaps must be reduced.