Clinical Assessment of Late-Life Anxiety

doi:10.1017/9781139087469.006

Chapter 6 - Clinical Assessment of Late-Life Anxiety

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 March 2021

Christine E. Gould ,

Brian C. Kok ,

Vanessa K. Ma and

Barry A. Edelstein

Edited by

Gerard J. Byrne and

Nancy A. Pachana

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Gerard J. Byrne: Affiliation:
University of Queensland
Nancy A. Pachana: Affiliation:
University of Queensland

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Summary

The assessment of older adult anxiety requires the mindset and skills of a detective, ideally those of Sherlock Holmes. In The Sign of Four (Doyle, 1890), Holmes offered the following quip regarding the investigation of a crime that is of considerable value for the clinician in the assessment process: “How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” (p. 111). As with the investigation of crimes, much of the assessment of older adult anxiety involves first accounting for, and oftentimes ruling out, multiple factors that can contribute to anxiety symptoms. In our chapter, we explore the complexities of assessing older adult anxiety symptoms and disorders. We begin with a discussion of age-related diagnostic issues and differences in symptom experience and presentation that contribute to diagnostic complexity.

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Type: Chapter
Information: Anxiety in Older People
Clinical and Research Perspectives
, pp. 79 - 96

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139087469.006 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2021

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