Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often accompanied by anxiety or depression. The exacerbation of anxiety and depression can lead to the deterioration of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, reduce patients’ quality of life, worsen poor prognosis, and increase the risk of death. Anxiety and depression are one of the important causes of death in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but the complexity of their risk factors and pathogenesis often lead to clinicians being unable to make accurate diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner. Based on existing research, this article elaborates on the risk factors and pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with anxiety or depression, aiming to improve the diagnosis and treatment ability of clinical physicians for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with anxiety or depression, achieve timely diagnosis and treatment, improve patients’ prognosis, and improve quality of life.