Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
04:20
Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety
Published on: November 11, 2022
Late-life anxiety disorders: a review
Josien Schuurmans1, Anton van Balkom
1Department for Older Adults, GGZinGeest, Osdorpplein 880, 1068 TD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.schuurmans@ggzingeest.nl
Current Psychiatry Reports
|May 4, 2011
Summary
Late-life anxiety disorders are common and impactful but often missed. Increased awareness and knowledge are vital for implementing effective treatments in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Psychiatry
- Mental Health
Background:
- Anxiety disorders affect 6-10% of older adults, posing a significant clinical challenge comparable to depression.
- These disorders are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in the elderly due to patient and clinical practice factors.
- Misattribution to personality traits and diagnostic challenges from symptom differences and comorbidities complicate identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the prevalence and impact of anxiety disorders in older adults.
- To discuss barriers to diagnosis and treatment in late-life anxiety.
- To emphasize the need for knowledge dissemination regarding effective interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on late-life anxiety disorders.
- Analysis of factors contributing to underdiagnosis and undertreatment.
- Examination of evidence-based treatment options and their limitations.
Main Results:
- Anxiety disorders are a major issue in older adults, often overlooked.
- Patient factors (e.g., help-seeking behavior) and clinical factors (e.g., lack of knowledge, ageism) contribute to underdiagnosis.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy and serotonergic antidepressants show effectiveness but face challenges with dropout rates and generalizability.
Conclusions:
- Effective treatments for late-life anxiety disorders exist but are underutilized.
- Disseminating knowledge about late-life anxiety is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Addressing barriers to diagnosis and treatment is essential for better mental healthcare in older populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
01:27Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages through which individuals progress across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that significantly influences personal growth and well-being. Three key stages — intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair — highlight the developmental challenges faced in adulthood.
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
01:26Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Anxiolytic drugs are vital in managing anxiety disorders by effectively alleviating symptoms such as excessive fear, tachycardia, and tremors. There are several classes of anxiolytic medications, each with unique mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic circuitry.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic circuitry.
03:34Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships.