Coping with aging anxiety

Research indicates that over 11% of people over the age of 55 suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. Just because you are getting older does not necessary imply you will be smarter and better in control of life compare to younger adults or teens. Conversely living beyond age 55 does not mean you will lead a less quality life compare to the younger generations. Aging does not equate to increase ability to handle stress and anxiety or vice versa. On the other hand, it can be quite challenging and difficult to treat aging people that suffer from anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorder can be classified into different types; general anxiety disorder better known as GAD is one of the most common forms of anxiety that affect the aging population. Some of the symptoms of GAD include insomnia, unwarranted and unnecessary worry and anxiety over real or imaginary situations and circumstances as well as muscle tension and fatigue.

Psychological and social problems may build up across time and if these problems are not dealt with, it could lead to severe depression and in more serious cases leads to mental illness. Doctors may prescribe anti anxiety drugs such as antidepressants or benzodiazepines to deal with serious anxiety problems. Older adults are known to experience side effects from anti-anxiety drugs at lower dosages than younger adults.

Seniors are usually more prone to fall sick and thus may have to increase intake of medication dosage and frequency to treat aging related illnesses. Our body's ability to breakdown, filter and expel harmful toxins from the body is impacted as one grows older. Accumulated toxins in the body, due to prolong intake of oral medications may affect hormones which are responsible for controlling stress and anxiety.

It takes longer time for elderly folks to metabolize and absorb drugs taken, thus making the drugs to be more risky and harmful even at doses deemed safe for younger people due to the fact that the medicine stays longer in the body. Sedatives such as Valium or Xanax could impair thinking ability and cause seniors to fall. A holistic treatment approach involving both cognitive behavioral therapies along side anxiety drug medications can boost and increase recovery of seniors.

Other postings pertaining to anxiety
http://stargaterich.blogspot.com/2009/06/learning-to-relax-with-anxiety.html
>http://stargaterich.blogspot.com/2009/05/cope-with-anxiety.html
>>http://stargaterich.blogspot.com/2009/04/reduce-stress-via-managing-time.html
http://stargaterich.blogspot.com/2009/01/stress-reduction-with-meditation.html