Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health issues affecting people of all ages, including seniors. And yet, anxiety therapy for older adults is frequently overlooked or underutilized. As our population ages, it is important to address the unique mental health needs of seniors and to understand why anxiety therapy is not as commonly provided or sought out for this age group.
Anxiety disorders in seniors often go undiagnosed. Symptoms are sometimes mistaken for normal aging, physical illness, or cognitive decline. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, up to 20% of older adults experience symptoms of anxiety that interfere with their daily lives. These symptoms can be present as excessive worry, restlessness, irritability, sleep disturbances, or physical complaints like headaches and gastrointestinal problems. While depression is more widely recognized and discussed in aging populations, anxiety, and its effect on daily life, still goes unnoticed.
What are some of the reasons anxiety therapy is overlooked in seniors?
Stigma and Misconceptions: Many seniors grew up in a time when mental health issues were stigmatized, and seeking therapy was seen as a sign of weakness. This generational attitude can make older adults hesitant to admit anxiety symptoms or seek help.
Physical Health Focus: Healthcare providers often focus on physical ailments in seniors, such as heart disease, arthritis, or diabetes. This can result in mental health concerns being overshadowed or dismissed as byproducts of physical illness.
Diagnostic Challenges: Anxiety symptoms can mimic or overlap with physical health problems or cognitive decline, making it difficult for doctors to identify anxiety as the root cause. Seniors may also have difficulty articulating their emotional experiences, further complicating diagnosis.
Lack of Specialized Services: Mental health services tailored for seniors are limited. Therapists may not have specialized training in geriatric mental health, and seniors may find general therapy settings intimidating or irrelevant to their experiences.
Barriers to Access: Mobility issues, transportation challenges, and financial constraints can prevent seniors from seeking therapy. Additionally, technology-based therapy options, such as telehealth, may not be accessible or comfortable for all older adults.
It is important for seniors to be aware of and seek help for anxiety disorders, because ignoring anxiety can have significant consequences. Persistent anxiety can exacerbate physical health problems, increase the risk of cognitive decline, and negatively impact relationships and social engagement. Effective therapy can help seniors develop coping strategies, improve their mood, and enhance their overall quality of life.
One therapeutic approach that I use for anxiety is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
ACT recognizes that the presence of anxiety does not mean that a person is weak. The thoughts and feelings of anxiety do not happen because of good or bad choices or right or wrong decisions. Anxiety is a normal and natural part of life, and when you frame it is a problem to solve or something to eliminate, it can gain more presence in your life. This stance in ACT is especially helpful for seniors, because it keeps them from seeing themselves as weak.
ACT teaches you how to be mindful and accepting of the thoughts and feelings of anxiety, instead of just trying to avoid or eliminate them. It helps you to see how to defuse from these thoughts and feelings. This defusion gives you the psychological flexibility you need to choose actions that give expression to your values.
ACT can be summarized as the difference between the ‘and’ or the ‘but.’ See if you notice the difference between these two statements.
I want my life to be different BUT I have anxiety.
I want my life to be different AND I have anxiety.
The ‘but’ of the first statement sets the two phrases in opposition to each other. With the ‘and’ statement, they are both allowed to be there, so you have the space to choose what you want to do, even with the presence of anxiety.
You can learn more about the ACT approach on my anxiety treatment specialty page. In some ways, anxiety is an inevitable part of aging, but it does not have to be debilitating. That’s where anxiety therapy can help.