Senior Anxiety, OCD, Stress

by Janet Shapan
Anxiety disorder is a general term describing various forms of fear and anxiety including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic conditions, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and stress and separation anxiety.

Generalized anxieties are fairly common among adults. They are characterized by enduring anxiety that really doesn’t seem to have a clear cause or reason. The anxiousness tends to be continuous and makes daily life very difficult.

Panic episodes can appear as brief and intense bouts of fear or apprehension. In most cases these conditions are usually short lived ranging from a few minutes to a few hours. The cause may be apparent but often it is unclear.

Linked to panic attacks is a condition known as agoraphobia, the anxiety about being in a place or situation that may be difficult to get out of. People who suffer from agoraphobia usually need to be near doors or openings at all times. In severe cases, this leads to the individual never wanting to leave his/her home for fear of not being able to leave wherever he/she is going.

Phobias are the largest category of anxiety disorders. If you are a senior with a phobia you know the power of these fears. Social phobia (otherwise known as social anxiety disorder) is an abnormal fear of public embarrassment or humiliation. This may stem from social events, public speaking or other public situations resulting in physical symptoms such as blushing, sweating, and difficulty speaking.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is mainly characterized by repetitive obsessions with certain thoughts or images and compulsions to repeatedly perform certain actions or rituals. OCD thought pattern could be compared to superstitions, where the afflicted person believes if certain actions are performed, the danger or evil will be eliminated.

There are other types of anxiety related issues stemming from daily stresses, post-traumatic stress from a traumatic experience or separation.

There are many treatment options for the above disorders/phobias: psychotherapy focuses on increasing the individual’s sense of their own well-being. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to get at the root of the dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and cognitions and to treat them accordingly. And pharmaceutical therapy employs various medications to relieve symptoms but is rarely used just by itself as it doesn’t treat the core problem, only its symptoms.

Anxiety and insomnia are often related. Each can be causes of the other which, in turn, leads to a vicious cycle that may seem impossible to break.

A study conducted by Dag Neckelmann, MD, PhD, of the Department of Psychiatry at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norwa, shows that chronic insomnia increases your odds of having anxiety disorders. So, treating chronic insomnia may be one way to alleviate feelings of anxiousness.

Chronic insomnia typically is a prolonged period such as a month or more of having trouble falling asleep, waking up too early or overall poor quality of sleep. About 10 percent of adults in the US contend with this condition.

If you aren’t sleeping, first check with a doctor to ensure that certain conditions like heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, pregnancy, menopause or arthritis aren’t the cause of the problem. Check your medications as well.

A practical approach to deter both anxiety and insomnia is reducing the consumption of caffeine and alcohol. Coffee is not always the sole culprit. Some tea, soft drinks, and certain medications can negatively impact sleep patterns. You may think alcohol helps you relax and fall to sleep but most drinkers experience a light and fragmented sleep pattern.

Another simple solution to insomnia is just old fashioned exercise. Take a 20 minute walk every day or a few times each week. Make sure you get your heart rate up during the walk. But don’t walk too close to bed time.

The information offered here are just basic tips and not medical advice. If you are still experience severe anxiety levels and can’t sleep, seek professional help from medical and psychological professionals.