Anxiety in Older Adults and Caregivers
Feeling anxious or nervous is a common emotion and a normal reaction to stress, but excessive anxiety that interferes with daily activities can lead to a variety of health problems and decreased functioning.Â
Common Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic, exaggerated worry about routine life events and activities
Panic Disorder: Characterized by panic attacks, sudden feelings of terror that strike without warningÂ
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Recurrent unwanted thoughts or rituals and feeling unable to control them
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Persistent symptoms occurring after having a traumatic event
Phobia: An extreme, disabling, and irrational fear of something that really poses little or no actual dangerÂ
Risk Factors
Chronic medical conditions
Overall feelings of poor health
Sleep disturbance
Alcohol, caffeine, drug, and medication use
Negative or difficult events in childhood
Extreme stress or trauma
Bereavement and chronic or complicated grief
A family history of anxiety disorders
Excessive worry or preoccupation with physical health symptoms
Older Adults: Poor health, memory problems, and losses can cause an anxiety disorder, and common fears about aging can lead to anxiety. Some older adults may not seek treatment as they believe the feelings are normal, while physicians may misdiagnose them due to other medical conditions or reactions to life changes.
Caregivers: Balancing many responsibilities and coping with a loved one’s illness can feel overwhelming. Feeling a lack of control over one’s own life, having to do medical tasks you are not prepared for, and uncertainty about the future can also contribute to feeling anxious.
Common Signs of Anxiety
Excessive worry, fear, or nervousness
Being overly preoccupied with routine or safety
Avoiding social situations
Difficulty sleeping
Racing heart, shallow breathing, trembling, nausea, sweating, dizziness
Muscle tension, feeling weak and shaky
Hoarding or collecting items
Loss of appetite
Trouble concentrating and remembering
Fatigue, headaches, chest pain, dry mouth, and shortness of breath
Treatment Options and Recommendations
The most effective treatment is a combination of therapy and medication. Medication will not cure anxiety disorders but will keep them under control. Therapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional to discover what caused the anxiety disorder and how to address the resulting symptoms.
Acknowledge worries and fearsÂ
Avoid caffeine, nicotine, over-eating, alcohol
Prioritize tasks
Exercise
Adopt stress management techniques, such as meditation, journaling, and deep breathingÂ
Limit news of current events
Allow time for treatment to work
Ask for help and accept it
Seek professional support
Make time for yourself, spend time with others
Connect with other caregivers
Crisis Resources
The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling 988.
The Friendship Line, 1-800-971-0016, is a national crisis and support line for people aged 60 and older.