4 Signs A Senior May Be Dealing With Anxiety, According To Home Companion Care Experts

Physical health is obviously important when it comes to living a long, comfortable life, but staying on top of your mental health is just as crucial. Depression and anxiety have some pretty common, well-known symptoms, but many seniors don’t realize they are suffering from mental health issues due to their declining physical health. According to the Harvard Medical School, anxiety disorders are often overlooked when it comes to people older than 60 for a variety of reasons. Many seniors were raised to ignore mental health issues and are sometimes afraid of reporting their symptoms because of the stigma that used to exist more broadly. Because of this, home companion care experts emphasize the importance of keeping an eye on anxiety symptoms in older adults. Here are four of the most common signs that a senior may be dealing with an anxiety disorder.

Panic attackselde

Panic attacks are one of the easiest ways to tell someone is suffering from an anxiety disorder. If someone reports chest pains, sleep issues or rapid heartbeat problems, talk to them about possible anxiety disorders. Home companion care experts recommend trying to remain calm and focusing on breathing if you or someone you love is dealing with a panic attack.

Withdrawing from social life

If someone once had a rich social life but is increasingly absent, they may be suffering from a social anxiety disorder that makes them feel like they can’t go out in public. While people of all ages can suffer from social anxiety, older adults that are losing their hearing or sight can especially feel isolated in social settings. Home companion care experts agree that keeping a close eye on your loved ones’ social lives can help you stay on top of their potential mental health issues.

Change in sleeping patterns

If you or a loved one is experiencing a big change in sleeping patterns, there’s a chance anxiety could be the culprit. Whether you’re sleeping all day or unable to fall asleep, anxiety has a way of making sleep issues worse. If you notice sleeping patterns changing, consider looking into anxiety disorders and how they might be affecting you or a loved one. Therapy and medication can help immensely with sleep issues.

Extreme weight loss or gain

Many people either eat too much or too little when they are suffering from an undiagnosed eating disorder. Home companion care experts say that if you notice a change in weight or eating patterns in yourself or in someone you are taking care of, consider anxiety as a possible cause. People dealing with anxiety often eat too much to cope, or don’t eat anything because they physically can’t. Getting diagnosed with an anxiety disorder is the first step to fixing these issues and getting back on track for a health retirement.