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Anxiety disorders and their treatment
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, California.
Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Anxiety disorders are common in the elderly. Available treatments, including medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy, can effectively manage geriatric anxiety, with specific approaches for short-term versus long-term symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anxiety disorders are prevalent among the elderly population.
- Systematic research on geriatric anxiety phenomenology and treatment is limited.
- Medical conditions can mimic anxiety symptoms, necessitating thorough evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review diagnostic and treatment strategies for anxiety disorders in older adults.
- To highlight the importance of considering organic causes for anxiety symptoms in the elderly.
- To discuss the efficacy of various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
Main Methods:
- Clinical observation and inference from studies on younger populations.
- Integration of rating scales and laboratory tests for comprehensive evaluation.
- Review of existing literature on treatment options for geriatric anxiety.
Main Results:
- Late-onset anxiety disorders may present with milder symptoms compared to early-onset cases.
- Short-acting benzodiazepines (e.g., oxazepam, lorazepam) are suitable for short-term geriatric anxiety.
- Buspirone is preferred for anxiety lasting longer than six months; antidepressants for mixed anxiety-depression or panic disorder.
Conclusions:
- Most anxiety disorders in the elderly can be effectively managed with current treatments.
- Cognitive-behavioral treatments are beneficial, especially for phobias.
- Further controlled clinical trials are needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for medication use in older adults.