Coping with Anxiety and Phobias
We live in anxious times. Around the clock, we hear news of war, murder, natural disasters, and ominous threats such as terrorism, swine flu and bird flu. If you are lucky enough not to be directly affected by major catastrophes, more personal issues can still provoke anxiety, such as physical health, work related problems, financial security, or your relationships with family and friends. Sometimes even relatively small-scale things such as getting stuck in traffic, car problem, computer problem, or even preparing for work presentation can all be significant source of stress.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders among older adults. Approximately eleven percent of people ages 55 and over suffer from anxiety disorder, while less than four percent experience major depression. Anxiety in older adults has received relatively little scientific attention. Most of what is known comes from studies of young and middle-aged adults, but the findings on anxiety medications don't all hold true for older people.
Type and Symptoms
Panic Attack: Sudden wave of in tensed apprehension, fearfulness, or terror with physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, sweating, and chest pain - occurs for no apparent reason.
Panic Disorder: Recurrent attacks that occur without warning
Phobia: Substantial anxiety caused by exposure to a particular feared object or situation.
Social Phobia: Substantial anxiety caused by certain social situations or exposure to performing in front of a group (or Recurrent distressing thoughts)
Acute stress disorder: Anxiety symptoms that last for up to a month following a traumatic experience.
PTSD: Distressing thoughts, anger and other anxiety symptoms that occur for more than a month following a life-threatening or severe traumatic experience.
OCD: Also known as obsessive compulsive disorder, is a recurrent distressing thoughts (obsessions) with uncontrollable repetitive behaviors which interfere with normal functioning.
The good news is Anxiety disorders is treatable with therapeutic techniques and medication administration.
Dr. Fenibo Braide, is a psychotherapist and mental health consultant.
Email: drfenibob@gmail.com
In older adults, because of the greater risk of medication side effects, doctors often prescribe anti-anxiety drugs in lower doses or recommend different therapies. Benzodiazepines are avoided whenenever possible because they cause more side effects like sedation and impaired cognition than newer drugs such as buspirone (BuSpar). In general, short-acting drugs cause less sedation and cognitive impairment, making them safer for people who need to drive.
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