Can Anxiety Get Worse with Age?

We all experience moments of worry, but for some, those worries start to take up more and more space with age. While anxiety is common at all ages, it can also become more intense later in life, especially when paired with major life changes, health concerns, or loss.

Read on to learn more about anxiety later in life and how to cope with it. 

Key Takeaways

• Anxiety disorders are the most widespread mental health condition in older adults.
• Approximately one-third of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) diagnoses occur in this age group. 
• Symptoms can change and sometimes worsen over time.
• Talk therapy, medication, and stress management may help to alleviate anxiety symptoms.

Why anxiety can worsen as you age

There isn’t a singular reason why anxiety can get worse with age. There are often various contributing factors, including the following.

Neurological and hormonal changes

Research suggests that there are decreases in the levels of the brain chemical serotonin as you age. Lower serotonin levels may play a role in developing symptoms like anxiety and depression.

Your patience can also run thinner with the age-related brain chemistry shifts, making it tougher for you to manage stress.

Anxiety may also be a symptom of many health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, or lung disease. 

Psychosocial Factors

Various psychosocial factors impact mental health and may contribute to anxiety, including the following.

Loneliness and isolation: Living alone or not having regular contact with others can raise the risk of anxiety in older people. Isolation can lead to or reveal existing social anxiety disorder. 

Loss: Losing someone close to you and other stressful life events can worsen anxiety. 

Thinking and memory problems: Anxiety may cloud your ability to think clearly and decisively. If you’re already worrying about what you could be forgetting, you can struggle even more. Anxiety is also a symptom of the onset of dementia.

Health conditions: A recent diagnosis can increase your risk of developing anxiety, since managing a new condition can be stressful. A physical health diagnosis can also cause your anxiety to be overlooked, considering that symptoms can overlap with other health concerns.

Stressful life events: Aging brings about concerns that you’ve never had to figure out before in your life. Typical hallmarks of aging, such as navigating funding your retirement or managing life with decreased mobility, can make you anxious.

Signs and symptoms of anxiety in older adults

Anxiety symptoms are often similar regardless of age. 

Anxiety can manifest emotionally with symptoms like:

• Racing thoughts
• Catastrophic thinking
• Poor concentration
• Trouble making decisions
• Frequently feeling on edge 
• Irritability 

You may experience physical symptoms of anxiety, too, such as: 

• Heart palpitations
• Weakness
• Sleep disturbances
• Sweating 
• Chest pains
• Muscle tension
• Trembling or jitters 
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing

Some people may also experience panic attacks, which are sudden, intense feelings of anxiety or fear that manifest physically. They are typically very intense, but they are short-lived and may pass within minutes to a half hour.

During a panic attack, you can have symptoms such as:

• Feeling of impending doom
• Fear of death or losing control
• Chest pain or tightness
• Racing heart
• Difficulty breathing
• A choking or suffocating sensation 
• Trembling
• Feeling dizzy
• Weakness
• Numb or tingling extremities
• Nausea
• Stomach ache 

Risk factors specific to older adults

You may find that as you age, health issues arise. That sudden focus on health can take a toll on your nervous system. Debilitating worry is a common side effect of many diagnoses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Even if you are relatively healthy, chances are someone close to you is managing a tough diagnosis. 

Further, being on a fixed income can force difficult decisions, and having to decide between medication and other daily necessities can cause severe stress. Having a difficult time caring for yourself can also be debilitating.

When to seek help 

Persistent anxiety in older adults should not be ignored. Research has shown that anxiety in people over 65 can reduce quality of life and increase the risk of other diseases. Conversely, managing your anxiety decreases your risk of heart disease and various respiratory diseases. 

Anxiety can be mentally and physically exhausting. If your thoughts leave you feeling drained, or if you’re stressed and feeling it physically, speak to your primary care doctor about treatment options. You can also find a therapist specialized with treating folks over 55.

Treatment for anxiety in seniors

Regardless of age, anxiety treatment typically involves a combination of psychotherapy (AKA talk therapy), medication, and lifestyle changes.

Psychotherapy for anxiety

Talk therapy is recommended, since sharing your feelings can help you feel less anxious. Two common types of therapy for anxiety include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that helps you address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.  It’s often used to counter and correct irrational thinking patterns, such as catastrophizing. You’ll learn to develop healthier thought patterns that in turn lower your anxiety levels. Your CBT therapist will also teach you coping skills, such as relaxation techniques, that you can use when anxiety runs high.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT is rooted in mindfulness and acceptance. It can help you manage the intensity of anxiety symptoms by teaching you to identify triggers and use grounding techniques. DBT also includes practical strategies, like holding ice or focusing on your senses, to bring you back to the present moment.

You can attend therapy sessions in person or virtually, through teletherapy. Many older adults prefer teletherapy so they can attend sessions from the comfort of their own home, without having to worry about transportation. 

Medication for anxiety

Therapy sessions can be effective treatments, but in more severe cases, you may also need help from medications. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are common antidepressants that can help target the brain chemicals that contribute to anxiety. These are medications you take daily.

These prescriptions may have side effects that coincide with other medications you take, so make sure you let your care team know about all medications and supplements you are taking.

Lifestyle and self-help techniques

The National Council on Aging states that changes to your day-to-day life can help you manage anxiety. Building stress management into your routine can go a long way toward helping you relax. Some ideas include:

• Mindfulness and meditation
• Deep breathing
• Yoga
• Walking
• Social connection

Don’t stop at what you can add. Examine your daily life and routine and whether or not they impact your anxiety. If you’re not getting enough sleep, this can worsen anxiety. Additionally, caffeine and nicotine can cause symptoms like a racing heart that can mimic anxiety.

How Sailor Health can help

Anxiety can indeed worsen with age due to a mix of physical changes, life stressors, and social isolation. However, recognizing the signs early and seeking help through therapy, medication, or lifestyle adjustments can make a meaningful difference. 

With the right support and care, older adults can continue to lead fulfilling, balanced lives despite the challenges anxiety may bring. Sailor Health can provide personalized teletherapy that caters specifically to the needs of older adults. With the help of licensed therapists, many of whom are over 55, Sailor is a great way to finally tackle the anxiety that’s adding stress to your retirement years. Plus, most Medicare patients have a $0 co-pay. Fill out a short form to get started today. 

‍FAQ

What causes anxiety flare-ups? 

Stressful life events, health issues, caffeine, alcohol, and even lack of sleep can be anxiety triggers.

At what age does anxiety get worse?

There isn’t a single age when suddenly anxiety increases. However, various factors in later life can make someone susceptible. These include changes to physical health, hormonal shifts, financial stress, and traumatic life events.

How to calm down an anxiety attack?

‍DBT strategies can help calm down an anxiety attack. Box breathing, counting backwards, grounding, changing your current environment, or applying ice to your neck can help bring you back to the present.

References

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2. Celano, C. M., Daunis, D. J., Lokko, H. N., Campbell, K. A., & Huffman, J. C. (2016). Anxiety Disorders and Cardiovascular Disease. Current psychiatry reports, 18(11), 101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-016-0739-5
3. Deza, Y., Baez Lugo, S., Chocat, A., Chételat, G., Poisnel, G., Klimecki, O. M., & Vuilleumier, P. (2021). Whole blood serotonin levels in healthy elderly are negatively associated with the functional activity of emotion‑related brain regions. Biological Psychology, 160, 108051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108051
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