Basking in Calmness: Enjoying Your Senior Years Without Anxiety

Many people think that worrying comes naturally with age, so when this worry is present it can easily be written off or ignored. Consequently, anxiety is still commonly perceived as a rare condition among older adults. Because of this, little attention is paid to senior anxiety in terms of research and treatment despite statistics showing otherwise. Now especially, during such a challenging time in our lives it is important to have a healthy outlet to express how you feel. Thankfully, technology is on your side, and you can receive excellent care from your home with online counseling.

If you are in your later years, it is important to know that anxiety isn’t healthy for people of any age. There is the tendency to ignore anxiety symptoms, instead of gaining a better understanding of them. It can be helpful to learn more about anxiety so that it can be treated before it worsens and interferes with your health and daily life.

Anxiety: Underestimated and Unrecognized

Anxiety is often unrecognized, ignored and overlooked despite its prevalence. Recent studies reveal that anxiety is more common later in life and has even been referred to as the “geriatric giant.” One reason anxiety is often overlooked, according to studies, is the common co-occurrence with many other physical and emotional conditions.

The most prevalent type of anxiety impacting about seven percent of seniors is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is described by Mental Health America as “chronic, exaggerated worry about everyday routine life events and activities, lasting at least six months; almost always anticipating the worst, even though there is little reason to expect it. Accompanied by physical symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache, or nausea.” Reaching out can be difficult when you are experiencing anxiety, know that online counseling can help if you take that first step.

Anxiety Risk Factors

Mental Health America details some of the risk factors that may contribute to anxiety in seniors:

  • Chronic medical conditions (especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], cardiovascular disease including arrhythmias and angina, thyroid disease, and diabetes)
  • Overall feelings of poor health
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Side effects of medications (i.e., steroids, antidepressants, stimulants, bronchodilators/inhalers, etc.)
  • Alcohol or prescription medication misuse or abuse
  • Physical limitations in daily activities
  • Stressful life events
  • Negative or difficult events in childhood
  • Excessive worry or preoccupation with physical health symptoms
  • Confusion/Disorientation

Tackle Your Anxiety with CCS and Online Counseling

Anxiety can lead to poor physical health and many comorbidities, which can impact your physical, emotional, and behavioral functioning. This does not have to be the case. You can experience calm and good health as you enjoy this wonderful time in your life. Staying emotionally healthy and free from unnecessary or excessive worries can help with this.

Online counseling, also called Tele mental Health, Tele Behavioral or Tele Mental Health (TMH) by many insurance companies, all mean the same thing. It is a secure, convenient, and extremely efficient way of receiving counseling. Some even say that counseling online is much easier than conventional in-office counseling sessions. Especially during a health crisis.

Let a licensed therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC help you find the strength to face life once again through online counseling. Registration for online counseling is also done online through a secure, user-friendly portal. Call today to schedule an appointment.

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