Anxiety and Seniors

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Aging Anxiously?
Anxiety is very common and it affects us all in real and distinct ways. Sometimes we can’t eat because we’re nervous about the outcome of a blood test, or we toss and turn all night thinking about how we’re going to come up with enough money to pay the bills. But people who experience acute anxiety, or who are constantly anxious, may suffer from an anxiety disorder, which psychiatrists consider a legitimate, diagnosable and treatable disease. Dr. Peter Rabins, author of “Getting Old Without Getting Anxious,” geriatric psychiatrist, and professor at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine joins Suzanne for a discussion on anxiety and seniors.

Why Getting Old Doesn’t (Have To) Mean Getting Anxious
The Merck Manual of Geriatrics defines anxiety as a distressing, unpleasant state of nervousness and uneasiness. In seniors, anxiety is most often seen as a byproduct of a wide range of physical and mental disorders rather than primary anxiety disorders which often develop earlier in the lifespan. Five to fifteen percent of older people experience some form of anxiety.

What causes anxiety disorders?
It is theorized that anxiety disorders are caused by an overabundance or overproduction of two chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters): serotonin and norepinephrine. Too much serotonin is associated with tension, while too much norepinephrine in the system, will cause a person to experience other physical symptoms associated with anxiety like heart palpitations.

What specifically triggers anxiety in older people?

• Deteriorating health
• Medication
• Thoughts of Mortality
• Difficult Life Circumstances

What are some of the symptoms?

• Panic
• Constant Worry
• Restlessness
• Dread
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Shaking/Lightheadedness

If I’m experiencing anxiety, how do I go about getting treatment?
Dr. Rabins recommends making an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss the matter, rule out physical ailments, and do bloodwork if necessary. From there, you might be referred to a psychiatrist, most likely a geriatric psychiatrist, who specializes in treating older adults.

What are standard treatments for anxiety in older adults?
Many older adults are often sensitive to side effects from anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax and Valium. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe cognitive-behavioral treatments, such as therapy, muscle relaxation, or training in behavioral coping strategies, because growing scientific evidence has shown that they are highly effective in treating anxiety disorders in this population.