ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN SENIORS

As we progress through different life stages anxiety can arise.  Anxiety is a normal and helpful emotion but when we experience it too strongly or too often it can start to interfere in our daily lives. Common challenges in older adulthood include physical health changes, reduced friendship networks and adjusting to retirement.

• Do you experience nerves that make it difficult to complete everyday tasks eg shopping, spending time with family and friends, using public transport?
• Or perhaps you find you are constantly worried about your health despite reassurance from tests and medical practitioners?
• Perhaps your lack of confidence stops you joining in on activities
• Do you wish you could confidently interact with people you need to?
• Do you worry constantly about everything? Does this result in muscle aches and tension headaches? 

All of these may be signs that you have clinical levels of anxiety.

Seeing a psychologist does not just involve talking about your problems (although that is an important part of treatment). Lesley would work with you to so that you can learn and apply the tools to overcome your difficulties.

Anxiety and low mood can occur in the senior years and this is NOT  a normal part of ageing! Research shows most Seniors adapt well to life’s changes.  Difficulties with low mood and fears occurring in the latter years can be successfully treated. Lesley uses evidence based treatments. For more about the evidence base and what treatment might involve  see the Ageing Wisely Program which was developed at Macquarie University. 

 Lesley also sees clients with others difficulties including depression (including bi-polar disorder).

Contact Lesley for an assessment or further information.