Answers to commonly asked questions about anxiety, and anxiety disorders, as they present in seniors. My heart pounds, and I think that I m going to die. These are people describing their experiences with anxiety disorders. These anxiety disorders can be very disabling, leading to poor physical health and lower quality of life. Anxiety is a normal part of life, and it occurs in seniors too.
Older adults worry about health, family, finances, and their mortality.
Elderly persons react with fear or panic when danger is imminent, as are their younger counterparts. Anxiety is a normal response to certain situations and is useful in helping us to cope with problems and to manage threatening situations. Anxiety alerts us to threats and provides the physiological readiness needed for action. Anxiety may be very intense in certain situations yet still be considered normal. Excess anxiety that occurs repeatedly and leads to distress and disablement is usually called an anxiety disorder.