Evaluation and management of anxiety in the older adult

Anxiety is a common presenting symptom in the elderly, yet it is often under-recognized and undertreated by physicians. Somatic presentations of anxiety are common and can confuse the diagnosis. Evaluating the older adult with anxiety requires a careful search for possible underlying causes, which include medical illness, other psychiatric disorders, and side effects of prescription medication. Anxiety often resolves with treatment of the underlying disorder but may necessitate nonpharmacologic techniques or conservative use of short-acting benzodiazepines.