The good news is that anxiety can be treated. Professional counseling, medication and relaxation exercises can help seniors overcome anxious thoughts and live positive, healthy lives.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a psychological ailment where you feel excessively nervous, fearful or uneasy. It's often related to real concerns but sometimes gets out of hand. Anxiousness in seniors may be generalized without any obvious cause. These feelings of nervousness or dread sometimes become overwhelming, especially as you grow older.

Symptoms of anxiety can include:

• Obsessive thoughts
• Feelings of panic or fear
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• An inability to relate to others
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Nightmares

Fortunately, seniors with anxiety can get help, and the condition responds well to counseling and treatment.

‍Factors That Contribute to Anxiety in Seniors

‍As you age, the ability to manage and control life is sometimes affected. For many seniors, the loss of a regular income can create feelings of insecurity. This may result in a loss of independence and mobility, especially if their physical health deteriorates. These challenges can create uncertainty and may lead to an anxiety disorder. Stressful life events may also precipitate anxiety, particularly the death of a lifelong partner who provided a sense of security. But with help, you can work through these feelings and learn to put them into perspective.

‍Types of Anxiety

‍Seniors experience many of the same types of anxiety as younger people. They may have always been anxious, but as they grow older, the fretfulness may become more debilitating. Some types of anxiety are more common among older people, such as a fear of falling.Social AnxietyThis is a condition where seniors feel uncomfortable meeting and interacting with people. They may feel socially inept and that other people are judging them and critical of their behavior.

‍Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

‍This type of disorder is relatively common among seniors. It's typified by an intense worry about life in general, when they always expect and fear the worst. People with generalized anxiety disorders may always be on edge, and their persistent worry can lead to physical symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, breathlessness and nausea.

‍Health Anxiety

‍This anxiety is shown by a persistent fear of serious and debilitating illnesses. People with health anxiety may have irrational fears of being seriously ill brought about by physical sensations or minor illnesses. Affected seniors may continually seek reassurance from medical professionals.

‍Phobias

‍Some seniors develop a phobia about falls and are reluctant to go out for fear of tripping over something and suffering an incapacitating fracture. A related condition, agoraphobia, is a fear of going out alone because of a belief that a situation may develop where they feel trapped or helpless. Sometimes these situations may lead to a panic attack characterized by extreme fear and anxiety.

‍Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

‍Obsessive-compulsive behavior is manifested in rituals adopted by seniors, such as constantly checking on things like the front door being locked or obsessively cleaning their home and being preoccupied by having everything in order.

‍Ways to Relieve Anxiety

‍Although it's normal for everyone to feel some degree of anxiousness, to be continually worrying about things isn't normal. This need not be the case, and there are positive steps you can take to cope with anxiety.

For example, if there are things you're worried about, you can talk them over with someone who's a specialist in that field. Talking about things that worry you often helps you gain a more balanced perspective.

Because anxiety is a psychological condition, it’s a good idea to support your nervous system by eating a nutritionally balanced diet and making sure you get enough vitamin B. Try to always get a good night's sleep and stay active during the day. Healthy exercise produces endorphins that make you feel good. Consider participating in the daily exercise classes here at Bethesda Gardens Thornton.

‍Treatments for Anxiety

‍Talking to a mental health professional helps. Therapists can use cognitive behavioral therapy to help change your thinking patterns to ones that are more positive. They can teach skills for dealing with situations that provoke anxiousness. Exposure therapy can create a safe environment for you to reveal and tackle fears.  

Consider doing exercises such as deep breathing and relaxation techniques, as they encourage your body to mentally and physically relax.

‍Taking Medication for Anxiety

‍Medication can help keep your fears under control. A doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe antidepressants, which can aid in positively changing your brain chemistry and reducing anxiety. The doctor may also prescribe short-acting antianxiety drugs that help you through panic attacks. Some seniors may experience physical symptoms when they're anxious, and the doctor can prescribe beta-blockers to counteract these symptoms.  

‍Reach Out for Help

‍If you or a loved one is experiencing severe anxiety, reach out to the caring staff here at Bethesda Gardens Thornton Assisted Living and Memory Care. Our therapists can help you deal with anxiety and, if necessary, refer you to an anxiety therapist or mental health specialist here in Thornton, CO, or nearby Denver. Therapy helps you understand the reasons you feel anxious and can help you develop coping skills to overcome anxiety.