Have you ever had the jitters before having surgery, while driving on icy roads or after seeing a snake? We all feel on edge at times, but some people feel anxious all the time. This keeps them from fully enjoying life and can even trigger health problems.

As many as 20 percent of older adults have excessive anxiety. Some experts say it is more common than depression in late life. Seniors may find it harder to make changes or deal with stress than when they were younger. They may fear losing their independence. They may worry about their health, finances or becoming a burden to their children. Some dwell on death after the passing of a spouse or friend.

Many older adults feel ashamed to discuss their mental health with a doctor, though. Due to lingering stigmas about mental illness, they may express their feelings as "fretting," or say they feel nervous. Instead, symptoms like shortness of breath or sleeplessness often alert doctors to an anxiety problem. In other cases, anxiety is mistaken for depression.

When anxiety becomes overwhelming
About 10 percent of seniors have anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common type in older adults. People with GAD suffer excessive worry about minor things for six months or more. They may phone their children five times a day or not be able to put small disagreements out of their minds.

Phobias are the next most common anxiety disorder among seniors. A phobia is an extreme fear about places, things or situations. Agoraphobia, for instance, is a fear about leaving the house. Other anxiety disorders include panic, obsessive-compulsive behavior, social fears and stress related to a past trauma.

Talk to your doctor if you often feel anxious. If you have shakiness or a racing heart, your doctor will want to rule out certain medical conditions. Anxiety can also be a side effect of medication, coffee, alcohol or cigarettes.

Usually, counseling and medication are combined to treat anxiety. It's not uncommon to suffer from depression at the same time, in which case both disorders would need to be addressed. After examining you, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following:

• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• A support group
• Exercise
• Dietary changes
• Relaxation training

Related Articles Phobias: When Fear Takes Over Depression in the Elderly - Recognizing the Symptoms Hoarding: When You Can't Throw It Away Anxiety Disorders

External Sources Anxiety Disorders Association of America. New thinking on anxiety and aging: anxiety disorders common in the elderly. Accessed February 16, 2007 The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Foundation for Health in Aging. Anxiety. Accessed February 16, 2007. Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Anxiety in the elderly. Accessed February 16, 2007 University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Late life anxiety disorders: what you need to know. Accessed February 16, 2007.