Antidepressant Eases Anxiety in Older Adults

Related Encyclopedia • Alzheimer's Disease • Anxiety • Autism • Bipolar Disorder More... Related Healthscout Videos Taking Steps After a Stroke Custom Ankle Replacements Custom Ankle Replacements Custom Ankle Replacements More... Related Animations • Alzheimer's Disease Video Animation • Erectile Dysfunction • What is a Heart Attack? More... Related Drug Information • Actonel • Adderal XR • Concerta • Coumadin More... Related News Articles • Alzheimer's Drug Might Help Prevent Esophageal Cancer • Loss of Smell Could Be Early Sign of Alzheimer's • Faster Heart Rate May Raise Risk of Heart Attack Death • Doctors Put Off End-of-Life Talks With Terminally Ill More...

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2

The researchers also found that people with high blood pressure taking Lexapro had a significant decrease in blood pressure. "This may suggest some additional health-related benefits of getting treatment for anxiety in this age group," Lenze said, adding, "There are effective treatments for anxiety in older adults other than sedatives."

The study results were published in the Jan. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Lenze said he hopes this study will help raise awareness that anxiety disorders are common among older people, and are often undetected or treated only with sedatives.

Text Continues Below

---

Douglas Mennin, an assistant professor of psychology at Yale University, agrees that physicians should be alert to anxiety problems among their older patients.

"Older adults should certainly be asked about their anxiety," Mennin said. "Many older adults are faced with increasingly stressful situations, such as loss of friends, mobility and job, and anxiety is a natural result," he said.

More information

For more information on anxiety, visit the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health.

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2