Updates in Geriatric Psychiatry-view handout:slides

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Anxiety disorders are often overlooked in older adults, despite being very common in this population. Studies have shown that the prevalence of anxiety disorders in adults aged 55 and older in the US is 11.4%, and even higher in Europe at 17.2% for adults aged 65 and older. Anxiety symptoms in older adults are associated with reduced physical activity, greater disability, poorer self-perceptions of health, decreased life satisfaction, increased loneliness, worse quality of life, increased healthcare utilization, and overall greater cost of care.<br /><br />Anxiety disorders in older adults are usually chronic and continue from earlier life. Factors such as being female, having a history of anxiety disorders, and having chronic medical illness or disability increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders in later life. However, the detection of anxiety disorders in older adults can be challenging due to the overlap of physical and cognitive symptoms with medical disorders and comorbidities.<br /><br />It is important to differentiate anxiety disorders from other conditions, such as depression and dementia, as they may have similar symptoms. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are both effective in managing anxiety disorders in older adults, although pharmacological interventions may produce larger effects due to the added placebo response. The use of certain medications, such as benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, should be approached with caution due to the potential for side effects in older adults.<br /><br />Anxiety disorders in older adults have implications for overall health and well-being, and it is vital to identify and treat these conditions. Further research is needed to better understand the specific needs of older adults with anxiety disorders and determine the most effective treatment approaches for this population.

Keywords

Anxiety disorders

older adults

prevalence

physical activity

disability

self-perceptions of health

life satisfaction

loneliness

healthcare utilization

chronic