Anxiety common in elderly, yet often undiagnosed and undertreated
From EurekAlert! - Breaking News:
Anxiety may be the most common mental disorder experienced by older adults, affecting one in 10 people over the age of 60.
As many as 7 percent of people in this age group have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a disorder characterized by uncontrollable worries about everyday things.
"Studies have shown that generalized anxiety disorder is more common in the elderly, affecting 7 percent of seniors, than depression, which affects about 3 percent of seniors.
Surprisingly, there is little research that has been done on this disorder in the elderly," said Eric J. Lenze, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
GAD is characterized by excessive, exaggerated worry over routine life events and activities that last for more than six months.
While many worrisome events occur as people age, such as deteriorating health and financial concerns, and while it is normal for people to worry or be concerned about these things, people with GAD worry on a more constant basis.
Additionally, anxiety in the elderly is associated with poorer cognition -- an effect that is opposite from what researchers see in younger adults with anxiety.
We can't just assume that we can treat the two age groups the same," said Dr. Lenze.
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