Faculty Books and Book Chapters

Anxiety in Old Age

Anxiety in Old Age

Book Title

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Document Type

Essay

Publication Date

2020

Editors

Randall Summers, Charles Golden, Lisa Lashley, & Erica Ailes

Keywords

anxiety-related disorders, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), old age

Description

Excerpt

Anxiety can be impairing and distressing for both the individual suffering from the symptoms and those around them. Emerging research suggests that anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders in older adults are just as prevalent as with younger adults, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). The ADAA states that Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder in the older adult population in the United States. It is also common for an older adult to have had a prior anxiety diagnosis, including GAD, when they were younger that has persisted into older age. Fear of aging, medical conditions, death, and harm are also common phobias and can manifest as specific phobias, adjustment disorders, and other anxiety-related disorders, as well as depression and other disorders.

Additional Information

This is one in a collection of essays as part of a project that began as an encyclopedia of developmental psychology coordinated by Dr. Randall Summers. However, for unforeseen reasons, the publisher was no longer in a position to publish the encyclopedia. This project was undertaken so that thousands of hours of work by psychologists would not go wasted. Enjoy these essays and feel free to cite them using the proper format.

Submit suggestions for corrections and topics to goldench@nova.edu.

Disciplines

Psychology

Files

Link to Full Text

Download Full Text

Anxiety in Old Age

Share

COinS