Stress vs Anxiety in Seniors: Understanding the Key Differences

Feeling stressed or anxious is normal. But what is the difference between the two? The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry found that anxiety affects about 10 to 20% of the older population.

However, most people affected by severe stress and anxiety may not know it. The two conditions often have similar symptoms and can lead to the same adverse health impacts.

Stress vs anxiety in seniors is becoming common, and this is evident in the exacerbated cases of diabetes and high blood pressure. Let's explore the differences between anxiety and stress while highlighting effective strategies to manage these conditions.

What Is Stress?

Stress is the body's reaction or response to difficult situations or external pressures. It's often felt as mental tension or severe worry.

Depending on the situation, you can perceive stress as either negative or positive. For instance, landing a new job can lead to positive stress.

Negative stress is harmful to your mental and physical health, and some of the symptoms include:

Difficulty concentrating
Mood swings
Behavioral changes, including social withdrawal
Muscle pain and tension
Digestive issues such as nausea and constipation

Managing stress in aging is essential to improving your quality of life. Independent living in Tampa, FL, can help you find a stress-free environment that enhances your emotional well-being.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is often mistaken as stress. But the main difference is that it's characterized by emotions such as fear, excessive worrying, and nervousness. It's worth noting anxiety may be induced by stress.

It's also marked by persistent fear or worry due to specific causes. Some of the causes of anxiety include:

Social isolation
Trauma
Poor lifestyle habits and drug abuse
Genetic factors

While being anxious is normal, excessive and persistent worry may be an indicator of anxiety disorders. These disorders can be difficult to manage without medical intervention. Senior mental health specialists can diagnose and treat both stress and anxiety effectively.

Further, switching to a safe environment for seniors living in Tampa, Florida, can help mitigate the causes of anxiety. The structured routine in assisted living communities creates predictability and reduces any external stimuli that may induce anxiety.

Differences Between Anxiety and Stress

The debate of stress vs anxiety involves highlighting specific causes, symptoms, and health impacts. Stress is often a product of external demands or pressures in the environment.

On the other hand, anxiety is an internal condition marked by persistent fear or worry. Additionally, anxiety symptoms in seniors are much different and can include:

Increased heart palpitations
Body aches and muscle tension
Shortness of breath
Sleep disturbances
Avoidance of social situations

Stress can induce anxiety, and feeling anxious can be a symptom of excessive stress. Consequently, you may experience overlapping symptoms of the two conditions, and they can also co-occur.

Health Impact of Stress and Anxiety

According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 31% of Americans will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. So, being anxious or stressed as a senior is normal but can lead to severe health risks.

Some of the impacts you can experience from anxiety and excessive stress include:

Physical Health Impacts

Chronic stress and anxiety disorders can weaken your immune system, making you prone to illnesses and infections. Digestive problems are also more common if you have anxiety or stress symptoms such as:

Irritable bowel syndrome
Diarrhea
Stomachaches and constipation

Chronic stress and anxiety disorders can also exacerbate cardiovascular issues, increasing the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Getting mental health services goes a long way in alleviating the adverse effects of stress and anxiety in seniors.

Poor Mental Health Impacts

Chronic stress can trigger and worsen anxiety and its symptoms. The co-occurrence of the two conditions can aggravate your mental health, adversely affecting your emotional well-being. The two conditions can also increase the risk of depression.

Anxiety and chronic stress also lead to greater social withdrawal and isolation. Consequently, seniors can experience a faster rate of cognitive decline, which is usually marked by the following:

Memory loss
Difficulty concentration
Impaired ability to perform activities of daily living
Poor dietary habits and unexplained weight loss

Assisted living and Memory care in Tampa can help mitigate the adverse effects of stress and anxiety on your mental health. The communities offer various fitness programs and relaxation techniques designed to improve physical and mental well-being.

Effective Ways to Manage Stress and Anxiety

The National Council of Aging found that most cases of stress and anxiety disorders go undiagnosed. Not knowing the signs of stress and anxiety in seniors is the main reason the two conditions are not effectively managed.

Getting older comes with various normal stressors, such as the loss of loved ones and difficulty accepting the transition of life post-retirement. There are different strategies for managing anxiety and stress, including:

Making Lifestyle Changes

Creating a daily routine and a predictable schedule can help you feel more relaxed. A routine also gives you a sense of control over your life, eliminating the risk of stressors from your external environment.

Staying physically active is another lifestyle change that effectively manages stress and anxiety. Simple exercises such as yoga, walking, or fitness classes act as effective coping mechanisms for both anxiety and stress.

Other lifestyle changes that you can make to deal with stress and anxiety include:

Eating a balanced diet
Getting quality sleep
Minimizing drug and substance abuse

Professional Support

Mental health professionals can diagnose and treat stress and anxiety disorders. They can help you identify what causes the two conditions, their symptoms, and how you can manage both.

An assisted living community in Tampa, FL, gives you access to mental health support. Besides, the exclusive programs available for seniors living in Tampa provide you with amenities and socialization opportunities to support your mental health.

Stress Vs Anxiety: Learn the Differences Today

Many people struggle to understand stress vs anxiety as they have various similar symptoms. Learning how to manage the two conditions can improve emotional and mental well-being.

At Aston Gardens at Tampa Bay, we pride ourselves on providing a stress-free environment for seniors to enjoy their golden years. We offer personalized care services and amenities to meet your needs, from assistance with daily living activities to medication management.

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