Guest Author - Sally Davies

Anxiety, worry and fear are natural emotions that support self protection and future provision. Anxiety is also a natural byproduct of the human condition, since we are blessed with imagination, yet never know what will happen next.

However, some people become negative to such an extent that they are brought to a standstill. Anxiety drains their energy, leaving little room for any other form of thought. Destructive anxiety is common in elderly people, either alongside depression, or on its own. The worries in themselves may be ordinary - retirement income, bills to pay, family members in trouble, ill health - but the degree to which they dominate is disabling. This level of worry has a severe effect on well being – because the reality inside your head is the one your body must deal with.

A person with Generalized Anxiety battles to sleep, cannot concentrate, and suffers from muscle tension and pain. There may also be upset stomach, headache and loss of immunity. Sweating and trembling are common. Over time, people become irritable, twitchy, and restless - unable to relax or socialize.

Anxiety is recognized as a medical “disorder” when it has been going on for at least six months, and is unrealistic or excessive from an objective point of view. Sometimes, the worry has become so much a way of being that it no longer relates to any real or even anticipated event. In cases of anxiety disorder, the anxiety is present most of the time, though usually there will be periods of respite or relief from it.

Because anxiety is normal and life is full of worrying things, it can be difficult to decide when to seek treatment from a psychologist or doctor. When you feel as though the anxiety is always there and is “finding” things to bring to your attention, that is probably a sign that normal worry has been overtaken by pathological anxiety. In addition, if ability to work, former appetite, sleep patterns, ability to relax with friends and family, or join in activities is being affected, these would be further cues to take action and seek professional help.

Generalised Anxiety is treatable with medication and/or psychotherapy. My recommendation, especially with elderly patients, is to avoid tranquillizers and sleeping pills (of the family of benzodiazepines) because they are habit forming in most people. They also lose efficacy over time, leaving the patient in a worse state than before. This is especially true if nothing is done to help the patient and the family to cope better. If medication is necessary, antidepressants generally give good results, and some people do well with herbal, homeopathic or body treatments such as aromatherapy massage.

In psychotherapy, the focus is on relaxation, comforting, and stress release at first. After that, you will learn to challenge and adapt your thinking in order to give anxiety less room. As with other mood disorders, recovery from general anxiety calls for lifestyle change and not simply popping a few more pills.