This week, Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Amanda Overstreet about managing anxiety, specifically in the older adult years. Dr. Overstreet is a geriatrician and Interim Medical Director of Geriatrics at MUSC.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Anxiety disorders are quite common in older adults, but many individuals who are diagnosed with this condition do not actually get treatment. Doctor Amanda Overstreet is here to talk about treating and managing anxiety in the older adult years. Doctor Overstreet is a geriatrician and Interim Medical Director of Geriatrics at MUSC. Doctor Overstreet, tell us more about the prevalence of anxiety in the older adult years.
Dr. Overstreet: General anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders, even in the older adult population. It's also interesting that greater than 25% of older adults who have depression also have some symptoms of anxiety. We know that generalized anxiety disorder is more prevalent in women than men.
Conner: What are some of the symptoms that an older adult might have if they do indeed have an anxiety disorder?
Dr. Overstreet: Well, some symptoms can mimic medical conditions, so it's important to talk to your primary care physician. Common symptoms of anxiety include things like feeling nervous or anxious, not being able to stop worrying, becoming restless, or even feeling like you can't relax. Some patients also experience heart palpitations or heart racing, sweating or shortness of breath. And so that's why it's important to talk to your doctor to try to differentiate between anxiety and a true physical problem.
Conner: And how are anxiety disorders typically treated specifically in the older adult years?
Dr. Overstreet: Anxiety disorders are treated with medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, or both. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a specific type of therapy that is proven to help patients with anxiety and depression. This is a great option for people who may be hesitant to take medications, but want a proven method to help them feel better.
Conner: Tell us more about these medications for anxiety disorders.
Dr. Overstreet: There are certain medications commonly referred to as SSRIs, and those are the mainstay of treatment for anxiety disorders. They're safe and effective for older adults and are often taken long term. There are particular SSRIs that are often first line because of their safety profile in older adults in particular.
Conner: And when might these medications take effect or help an individual feel better?
Dr. Overstreet: SSRI’s generally take 4 to 6 weeks to notice the full effect, and so we often recommend that you see your primary care physician monthly to determine if the medication is working for you and to make any adjustments. And so often when I see someone in 4 to 6 weeks, if they haven't noticed a significant benefit, we can either increase the dose if necessary or even rotate to another SSRI.
Conner: And are there some classes of anxiety medicines that aren't particularly appropriate for older adults?
Dr. Overstreet: There are some medications like benzodiazepines, that are indicated for short term relief of anxiety, but they're not as safe when used long term. These unfortunately increase the risk of falls and also of memory issues like dementia in older adults. And so that's why we don't like to use these medications long term.
Conner: Doctor Overstreet, thanks for talking with us about anxiety disorders in older adults.
Dr. Overstreet: You're welcome.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina and Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
