Geriatric Psychiatrist Sees Anxiety Gripping Senior
Citizens in Economic Crisis
Drum beat of bad economic news and promises of
worse to come can be stressful; he offers ideas on how to deal with it
Nov. 25, 2008 - For older adults who have lived
through the Great Depression, news stories comparing present
circumstances to the harsh realities of food lines, few jobs, and
extreme poverty of the 1930’s may be panic-producing. Add that to the
fact that an economic crisis disproportionately affects older adults who
need access to retirement funds, and it’s not surprising that seniors
are feeling anxious.
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Saint Louis University psychiatrist George
Grossberg, M.D., has seen an increase in economy-related anxiety. “The
anxiety and worry are immense. It is affecting millions and millions of
people, especially those who were looking forward to a comfortable
retirement,” said Grossberg.
Grossberg, who directs Saint Louis University’s
geriatric psychiatry program, notes that in many cases, older adults
respond well in a crisis, drawing on a lifetime of experience.
For example, after September 11, seniors often had
a less impulsive, more measured response than did younger people. In
today’s economic crisis, however, older adults have the most to lose
financially and a sense of what a true economic depression can look
like.
Retirees who have planned to rely on investments
are hit hardest by financial downturns, but they may also have less
obvious reasons for their fears. For some, the worry extends beyond
retirement funds to a general and sometimes intangible sense of unease.
“I’ve had patients who are themselves financially
secure talk about their anxiety for society as a whole or their worry
that there may be unprecedented problems, like civil unrest,” said
Grossberg.
The constant drum beat of bad economic news and
promises of worse to come can be stressful everyone. For those who are
suffering because of economy-related stress, Grossberg offers the
following pieces of advice:
● Do a reality check: Take a breath and
look at the facts. Don’t let speculation about the future run wild. Most
over-the-top grim predictions won’t come to pass.
● Don’t act impulsively: Be careful that
you don’t make poor decisions in a moment of panic. Grossberg gives the
example of one patient who sold off the bulk of his investments while
the market was low, fearful that he was losing his retirement savings.
Discuss what you plan to do with someone else before you make a rash
decision.
● Count your blessings: Take time to
think about the things for which you’re grateful. Whether it’s your
health, your family, or $1.49/gallon gas, being thankful is a healthy
reminder of what’s good in your life.
● Take care of your health: Exercise, eat
right, get enough sleep, and don’t put off preventive doctor visits.
Staying healthy will help you to deal with financial issues and other
stressful problems, and exercise has benefits for mood.
● Get help: If you feel overwhelmed,
anxious, or depressed, seek help from a doctor.
About Saint Louis University
Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School
of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree
west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and
biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health
care on a local, national and international level. Research at the
school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: cancer, liver
disease, heart/lung disease, aging and brain disease, and infectious
disease.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Nov. 25, 2008 - For older adults who have lived
through the Great Depression, news stories comparing present
circumstances to the harsh realities of food lines, few jobs, and
extreme poverty of the 1930’s may be panic-producing. Add that to the
fact that an economic crisis disproportionately affects older adults who
need access to retirement funds, and it’s not surprising that seniors
are feeling anxious.