Which description best characterizes generalized anxiety disorder in the elderly?

Which description best characterizes generalized anxiety disorder in the elderly?

• A. Worrying about insignificant matters that are out of proportion; Restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep disturbances
• B. Memory loss and confusion
• C. Sudden loss of consciousness
• D. Violent mood swings and aggression

Answer: (A)

Generalized anxiety disorder in older adults presents as excessive, persistent worry about multiple domains that is hard to control, lasting most days for at least several months, with accompanying physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbances. The description here captures that pattern: worry about insignificant matters out of proportion, plus multiple somatic symptoms. In contrast, memory loss and confusion point to dementia, sudden loss of consciousness suggests syncope or other acute events, and violent mood swings and aggression point to different mood or behavioral disorders. So this description best fits generalized anxiety disorder in the elderly.

Generalized anxiety disorder in older adults presents as excessive, persistent worry about multiple domains that is hard to control, lasting most days for at least several months, with accompanying physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbances. The description here captures that pattern: worry about insignificant matters out of proportion, plus multiple somatic symptoms. In contrast, memory loss and confusion point to dementia, sudden loss of consciousness suggests syncope or other acute events, and violent mood swings and aggression point to different mood or behavioral disorders. So this description best fits generalized anxiety disorder in the elderly.