Abundant life for the rest of your life.
Abundant life for the rest of your life.
Should I worry about worrying? Most people get anxious at some time or another. It's a natural response to stress and helps us cope with new and threatening situations. Some, though, get more anxious than is normal or healthy-like 76-year-old Mary:
Mary, recently widowed, lived alone. She worried constantly about her health, house, finances-everything her husband used to handle. She tested her blood pressure every few hours, afraid that she was having a heart attack, and called her doctor or her son every day to complain. She felt too stressed to go out to grocery shop or see her friends. She just felt brittle-unable to relax or slow down her mind enough to sleep, terrified of having a nervous breakdown.
When anxiety gets in the way of living a normal life, you should seek help from your physician or mental health professional. Help is readily available for anxiety disorders such as phobia, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD.
How does anxiety look after 50? Life after 50 presents us with many big changes and challenges-a new medical illness, move to a new residence, death of a spouse, financial stresses-all with the potential to stir up anxiety.
Anxiety is frequently misdiagnosed in older adults, partly because this current generation tends to be more comfortable focusing on physical rather than mental distress. In addition, some anxiety symptoms (heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath) tend to mimic signs of cardiac and pulmonary illnesses common to this age group. Finally, anxiety can play a complicating role in conditions such as depression, headache, or irritable bowel syndrome.
How do we treat anxiety? Along with other psychological treatments, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety-promoting relaxation, decreasing muscle tension, and changing worry-inducing thoughts. Lifestyle changes may be needed, such as reducing caffeine and exercising more frequently. Medications can ease symptoms but must be monitored to avoid oversedation and dependence.
Signs of Anxiety
If you or a loved one are experiencing several of these symptoms, call for a consultation with a Willow Wellness Center professional.
