Coping with Worries in Late Life
Worrying in the Latter Years
"Generalized Anxiety" is the clinical term for excessive worrying that is difficult to control. Other symptoms of anxiety are listed below:
- Restlessness
- Tires easily
- Problems concentrating
- Muscle tension
- Difficulty sleeping
Approximately 5 to 6 people out of every 100 people aged 65 and older are coping with at least one anxiety disorder.
Older adults are more likely than young and middle aged adults to experience depression problems along with anxiety disorder.
Help is available to reduce these symptoms!
Special Considerations in Older Adults
Although generalized anxiety is diagnosed the same way in all adults, regardless of age, there seems to be differences in the way older adults experience it
- Older Adults Often:
- Worry about different things (usually health concerns)
- Describe anxiety with words like fret, nerve problems, as opposed to emotions
- Have additional problems like depression, sleep disturbance, health problems associated with age.
- Focus more on physical symptoms of anxiety, looking for a medical reason to explain the problem.
- Help in Identifying Anxiety
- Have you been concerned about of fretted over a number of things?
- Is there anything going on in your life that is causing you concern?
- Do you find that you have a hard time putting things out of your mind?
- What thoughts keep you from sleeping?
- Ask yourself these questions
- What was happening when they started?
- What thoughts occurred when they began?
Is Anxiety Treatable?
Experts believe that many older adults who have anxiety disorder had one when they were young. The anxiety surfaces again because of the natural stressors of the aging process: chronic physical ailments, cognitive impairment, and significant emotional losses.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Usually diagnosis and treatment begins with the primary care physician. Older patients feel comfortable with the doctor they are familiar with and trust.
Both Medication and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) are used to treat anxiety. Anti-depressants are the preferred medication. CBT may involve relaxation training, replacing worries with more realistic thoughts, and exposure to feared objects or situations. CBT can take several months, but has no side effects.