It’s not uncommon for older adults to develop anxiety issues as they grow older. As we age, fears about our health, stress about our mobility or cognitive challenges, and concerns about the future can become overwhelming.
Many of our loved ones face a variety of difficulties they’ve never had to concern themselves with before. Maybe they have endured the grief of losing close friends, family members or even their spouse. They might have health issues that cause them to worry about their own mortality. Perhaps they have lived in the same home for decades, filled with memories and treasured possessions, and must move for their own safety.
While change is inevitable, that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Helping our senior parents cope with anxiety can help them lead a happier and healthier life. Be aware of the signs of anxiety disorders in older adults and how to get them the help they need.
Types of Anxiety Disorders in Older Adults and Their Symptoms
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Characterized by feelings of dread, people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder experience uncontrollable worry and often fear that something catastrophic is on the verge of happening.
Symptoms may include:
- Unregulated feelings of panic, fear, and apprehension
- Obsessive thoughts
- Reactions that are disproportional to actual circumstances
- Restlessness, feeling wound up or on edge
- Challenges with memory and focus
- Sleep-related issues including insomnia or nightmares
- Physical ailments, including headaches and upset stomach
- Lethargy and fatigue, refusal to participate in routine activities
- Ritualistic, obsessive-compulsive behaviors
Panic Disorder
Seniors affected by Panic Disorder are confronted with sudden onset panic attacks that can disappear as quickly as they arrive. These severely distressing episodes typically peak within about 10 minutes, with physical symptoms akin to a cardiac emergency. They include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pains
- Heart palpitations
- Lightheadedness and a sense that they could pass out
- Numbness in their extremities
- Full body chills
- The sensation of choking or gagging
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder is defined as an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This condition can make it extremely difficult for people to have normal social relationships, accomplish everyday tasks or participate in work or recreational activities out of fear of judgment or humiliation. People with Social Anxiety Disorder may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Blushing, sweating, or trembling
- Pounding or racing heart
- Headaches and stomachaches
- Rigid body posture or speaking with an overly soft voice
- Difficulty making eye contact or being around people they don’t know
- Feelings of self-consciousness or fear that people will judge them negatively
Phobia-related disorders
A phobia is an intense fear of — or aversion to — specific objects or situations. Although it can be realistic to be anxious in some circumstances, the fear people with phobias feel is severe and can sometimes be disproportionate to the actual danger caused by the situation or object.
People with a phobia:
- Have an irrational or excessive worry about finding themselves confronted with a feared object or situation
- Make a big effort to avoid the subject of their fear
- Experience immediate and intense anxiety when they encounter the feared object or situation.
There are several types of phobias and phobia-related disorders. Some examples of phobia disorders include fear of flying, heights, darkness, specific types of animals like spiders, snakes, or dogs; blood or the sight of it, doctors, and germs.
How to Treat Anxiety Disorders in Older Adults
Anxiety disorders in older adults are typically treated using psychotherapy, medication, and cognitive behavior theory. You should talk to your senior loved one’s physician, who may diagnose them with an anxiety-related condition and/or refer them to a specialist. While therapeutic drugs are commonly used to treat younger people, medications like Xanax and Valium may not be safe for all older patients. For seniors, cognitive behavioral therapy, which is intended to gradually reframe a person’s thought processes and provide coping skills, in conjunction with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac, Celexa and Zoloft, is one of the most effective forms of treatment.
Ignoring anxiety symptoms can be a huge mistake. Not only does living in fear and stress negatively affect your elderly parent, but it can lead to more permanent mental and physical health issues. There are many ways to treat anxiety, and you should work with a health care provider to find the best treatment for your loved one.
NOTE: If your senior loved one has expressed depressive or suicidal tendencies, talk to a health care professional immediately.
