Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T16:28:02.318Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

26 - Treatment of late-life generalized anxiety disorder

from Section 4 - Treatment of anxiety: current status and controversial issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 November 2010

Helen Blair Simpson
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York
Yuval Neria
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York
Roberto Lewis-Fernández
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York
Franklin Schneier
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York
Get access

Summary

This chapter focuses on the specific problems encountered in treating late-life generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The most common elements of Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are didactic information about anxiety and instruction in self-monitoring of anxiety, relaxation training, imaginal relaxation, cognitive therapy, worry behavior prevention, problem solving, and gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) have replaced tricyclic antidepressants with proven efficacy for GAD as first-line agents. Pharmacotherapy remains the most widely used treatment for managing late-life anxiety. CBT is the best-supported psychosocial treatment for anxiety disorders in younger adults, as well as the best potential alternative to medications. The treatment of GAD is challenging in general, and particularly in the elderly. In all pharmacotherapy, the lowest dosage of medication that controls the patient's symptoms should be prescribed. Insomnia is a frequent symptom of GAD and should be addressed specifically.
Type
Chapter
Information
Anxiety Disorders
Theory, Research and Clinical Perspectives
, pp. 297 - 305
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×