A lifespan view of anxiety disorders

Figures & data

Table I Prevalence estimates for anxiety disorders in older adults from five community studies. GAD, generalized anxiety disorder; OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder; PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder; *prevalence estimate of GAD in EGA is from one site only; **prevalence estimate from NMHWS is for panic disorder and/or agoraphobia; ***prevalence estimate from NCS-R is for specific phobia

Figure 1. Changes in anxiety disorder presentation across the lifespan. PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder

Figure 2. Proposed model of how a biological stress response in late-life anxiety produces cognitive impairment, and how mindfulness-based treatment for late-life anxiety disorders may reverse this cognitive impairment. CRH, corticotropin-releasing hormone; ACTH: adrenocorticotropin hormone

Table II Features of anxiety disorders across the lifespan.

Table III Key points from a lifespan view of anxiety disorders.

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