Senior Care in Fountain Valley CA
Anxiety is less common in seniors than in younger adults. But how do you know when what some would consider “normal worry” becomes an anxiety disorder?
Normal worry versus Anxiety Disorder
Worry can be a part of everyday life, however an anxiety disorder is more severe and often needs the help from a medical professional.
Examples of normal worry include:
● Self-consciousness
● Test anxiety
● Fear of dangerous places or situations
● Worry about paying bills
● Anxiety after trauma
Signs of an anxiety disorder may include:
● Constant worry without reason
● Avoiding social situations
● Panic attacks or fear of having one
● Irrational fear
● Reoccurring nightmares
● Emotional numbness to trauma
Stressful events like moving or losing a loved one may be the cause of normal worry or anxiety. However, long-term anxiety or anxiety that does not improve over time is most likely some form of an anxiety disorder. If not treated, an anxiety disorder can get worse. Let’s take a look at types of anxiety disorders:
● Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). A senior with generalized anxiety disorder or GAD, has a hard time just getting through the day without worry. He or she worries about money, health and even family problems.
● Panic disorder. A senior with a panic disorder will experience a sudden, unexplained attack of terror or panic attack, and become overwhelmed with a fear of impending doom. If your loved one experiences a panic attack, he or she may confuse it with a heart attack because a panic attack will often feel like their heart is pounding.
● Social phobia. A senior with social phobia is worried about being embarrassed and has a fear of being judged by others.
● Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The thoughts and rituals of obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD can cause distress for seniors impacted by it and may get in the way of daily life. OCD causes the uncontrollable need to do or think things over and over without reasonable explanation.
● Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A senior with post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, develops it after experiencing a terrifying act of violence or incident.
● Specific phobias: Seniors with a specific phobia will experience an intense fear of things ranging from heights, tight spaces, flying and highway driving.
Suffering from anxiety can lead to greater health problems in seniors. So, learning to manage and treat your loved one’s anxiety is not only taking care of your mental health, but your physical health as well.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care services in Fountain Valley, CA or the surrounding Orange County areas, please call us at 949-535-2211. We provide senior care services in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo and surrounding areas of Orange County California. Contact us today to learn more.
Sources
https://nihseniorhealth.gov/anxietydisorders/aboutanxietydisorders/01.html
Anxiety and Depression Association of America: https://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/older-adults
