How does anxiety relate to Alzheimers disease?
A certain amount of anxiety is a normal part of everyone’s makeup. When anxiety becomes more severe and persistent, it is not normal. Anxiety disorders cause disturbing distress or dysfunction and usually both. Once begun, anxiety disorders often continue lifelong. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes changes in the brain that may affect anxiety in a variety of ways. New anxiety beginning in old age is sometimes related to changes in the brain associated with AD. Lessened anxiety may also be explained by AD brain changes. Anxiety is present in upwards of 90% of those suffering depression, so AD may be accompanied by both depression and anxiety. If anxiety is pronounced, treating it will benefit the person with AD and will reduce the burden for caregivers. Many times, antidepressant medications treat both depression and anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety disorders include anxiety excessive to the risks of the situation (often the person appears fearful, even to the point of panic), irritability an
