Understanding Anxiety in Seniors & Older Adults

Does Anxiety Worsen with Age?

Looking at anxiety on its own, there doesn’t appear to be a substantial connection between age and increased anxiety rates. That said, other common issues related to aging like declining health, financial concerns, stress about the loss of independence, and other everyday stressors, can all contribute to increased anxiety in older adults. 

Signs of Anxiety in Older Adults

Anxiety symptoms can manifest differently in older persons than it does in younger people. One significant difference is that anxiety can present as physical symptoms in older people, whereas clear emotional distress can be more common in young people. 

Common signs and symptoms of anxiety in older adults can include:

• Increased agitation
• Mood swings
• Preoccupation with routines
• Physical symptoms like headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and muscle tension
• Preoccupation with health concerns
• Change and sleep habits like difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Lost interest in activities, things, and people once enjoyed
• Cognitive changes like difficulty concentrating
• Avoidance of social situations
• Hoarding 
• Depression 

Common Causes of Anxiety in Older Adults

While there’s no single cause for anxiety in older people, there are several factors that can contribute to or increase the risk of developing anxiety. 

From extreme trauma or stress to family history or predisposition, knowing what might cause an anxiety disorder can be the first step in preventing it or managing symptoms in the future.

Life transitions and emotional stress

Life is constantly changing, and as we age, some of the changes become bigger and are often more out of our comfort zone. 

Life changes can involve moving into a smaller home, transitioning to a retirement or assisted living community, giving up driving, and retiring from a career. Each transition can be linked to emotional stress, as people try to cope with new lifestyles every day when a big change occurs.

Chronic physical health issues

With age comes deteriorating health, and it’s not uncommon for chronic physical conditions to exacerbate feelings of anxiety. Worries about health and well-being are natural, especially if conditions like diabetes, chronic pain, or cardiovascular disease — where we have less control over progression — are at play. Constantly stressing about physical health can lead to increased anxiety over time.

Medication side effects

Some of the more common medications for older adults — like stimulants, cardiovascular drugs, or corticosteroids — list increased anxiety as a side effect. Certain drugs trigger anxiety to the point of discomfort. In those cases, a provider may reevaluate the dosage or type of medication to see if something different might cause less stress.

Isolation and loneliness

Older adults commonly experience isolation and loneliness that may contribute to increased anxiety. Loss of loved ones, reduced mobility, or even life transitions perceived as “happy” that might be welcome (like retirement) may result in loneliness and feelings of social isolation.

Financial stress and insecurity

Financial stress can be a source of anxiety at any stage of life. For older adults, though, the fear of being unable to support themselves can be difficult to handle. The rising cost of health care, inadequate savings, worrying about investments, and increased cost of living rates can create uncertainty about financial futures and cause extreme anxiety.

Past trauma and anxiety history

Past trauma, especially if it was never dealt with, can cause anxiety for older individuals as unresolved traumatic experiences can resurface at any time. Extreme trauma — like war or any abuse — leaves emotional scars that can impact how people respond to stress in the future. Likewise, a history of anxiety can predict future heightened sensitivity to stressful situations.

Diagnosis Challenges

Diagnosing anxiety in older adults can be challenging on several fronts. One of the most difficult aspects is that anxiety symptoms can overlap with other conditions, making it easy to miss. Another factor is that some older people will downplay or hide symptoms, whether because of mental health stigma, avoiding further doctor visits, or other personal reasons. 

Diagnosing anxiety in older persons can be challenging for these reasons:

• Understanding anxiety vs. dementia vs. depression: Many common conditions like anxiety, dementia, and depression in seniors — can have overlapping symptoms that can make geriatric anxiety signs less apparent.  
• Underreporting symptoms: Some older adults might be afraid of being perceived as incompetent or have a generational attitude that prevents them from sharing their anxiety symptoms.
• The stigma of mental health in older generations: While societal attitudes toward mental health have evolved, lingering stigmas remain among older generations. They grew up during a time when mental health issues were heavily stigmatized, treatments were harsh, and discussions were rare. This makes it challenging for them to seek help, as they still confront echoes of past prejudices.
• Physiological symptoms mimicking other conditions: Many symptoms can mimic other conditions — for example, an older person may not know the difference between normal stress vs anxiety — making an accurate diagnosis difficult. 
• Lack of awareness and education: Some older people and those who care for them don’t realize what they’re experiencing is outside the norm.
• Limited access to geriatric specialists: Access is everything in health care — without it, getting appropriate senior care services is next to impossible. In addition to some older individuals having mobility and transportation issues that might interfere with getting to a provider, research shows a known geriatrician shortage is expected to complicate access to health care further.

Treating Anxiety in Older Adults

Treating any condition, including anxiety, in a person of any age often requires a comprehensive approach. Combining treatments like therapy, anxiety medication, and lifestyle changes can offer the best results and significantly improve quality of life.

Therapy for anxiety

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that’s proven effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety. CBT works by identifying and changing unhealthy or unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. Talkspace is an online therapy platform that helps people of all ages overcome anxiety. Older adults can receive therapy for anxiety from the comfort of their homes, eliminating some of the barriers to getting care.

Anxiety medication

ometimes, therapy alone isn’t enough to treat anxiety in older adults. Fortunately, short-term use of some anti-anxiety medications can be beneficial for many people. Other anxiety medications that may be prescribed include beta-blockers, antidepressants, or buspirone.

When treating anxiety in older persons, health care providers typically prescribe lower doses initially and closely monitor the results to ensure side effects are tolerable and there are no interactions with other drugs.

Lifestyle modifications & coping strategies

A healthy lifestyle and the right coping strategies can make all the difference when treating anxiety in older persons. Even small lifestyle changes can offer big benefits — eating right, light exercise, and a healthy sleep schedule can improve symptoms. Coping skills like meditating, keeping an active social calendar, and journaling for anxiety can also help.

How to Support Seniors with Anxiety

Knowing how to help someone with anxiety is crucial for family members and caregivers. The following tips are all excellent ways to offer support and reassurance to your loved one:

• Create a safe space for communication
• Offer emotional support
• Encourage social interaction
• Ensure access to resources
• Support healthy habits when it comes to food, sleep, and getting exercise
• Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga
• Be patient
• Educate yourself on symptoms, treatments, and warning signs

Online Anxiety Treatment Covered by Insurance

Talkspace is an online therapy platform that offers secure, convenient, affordable access to mental health care to treat anxiety or any other mental health condition. Talkspace accepts major insurance plans, and sessions are covered by Medicare in select states, with more to come. By ensuring access to online support and offering affordable anxiety treatment plans for seniors, Talkspace is making a difference. Find out how Talkspace can help treat anxiety in older adults today.