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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety, Inability To Cope With Things And Excessive Worrying
Hello Dr Rynne,
I am looking for a doctor for my elderly mother. She is 85 and is in very good physical condition. It is her mental health that I amconcerned about. For the last four years she has been in a mental decline since my dad died. I have had help the past three years with someone going to her house and sitting with her. On the weekends I have her to come to my house to stay with my wife and I. That has worked out fine until the last four months. Lately she has so much anxiety that she cannot function. Her coping mechanism seems to have broke completely. The worries about every single thing from the time she wakes up until she goes to bed. She is aware of this herself but she says she can't help it. She roams the house all night. She rarely gets a good night of sleep. I need some advise on how I can help her. Thank you
Robert Brooks
I am looking for a doctor for my elderly mother. She is 85 and is in very good physical condition. It is her mental health that I amconcerned about. For the last four years she has been in a mental decline since my dad died. I have had help the past three years with someone going to her house and sitting with her. On the weekends I have her to come to my house to stay with my wife and I. That has worked out fine until the last four months. Lately she has so much anxiety that she cannot function. Her coping mechanism seems to have broke completely. The worries about every single thing from the time she wakes up until she goes to bed. She is aware of this herself but she says she can't help it. She roams the house all night. She rarely gets a good night of sleep. I need some advise on how I can help her. Thank you
Robert Brooks
Fri, 12 Jun 2015
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. The symptoms of hers started soon after death of your father. Death of spouse is one of major life event and this is known to precipitate depression in individuals. The symptoms like severe anxiety, inability to cope with things, worrying, remaining awake etc are occurring due to depression post death of her husband. She is 85 and these symptoms should not be ignored. Take her to a psychiatrist for evaluation of depressive symptoms. Depression in elderly responds to SSRI drugs. Sertraline is a SSRI that is considered as safest to use in elderly. Apart from medicines provide her good support and give her proper nutrition. Visit a psychiatrist for prescription of the drugs I have mentioned.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
I can understand your concern. The symptoms of hers started soon after death of your father. Death of spouse is one of major life event and this is known to precipitate depression in individuals. The symptoms like severe anxiety, inability to cope with things, worrying, remaining awake etc are occurring due to depression post death of her husband. She is 85 and these symptoms should not be ignored. Take her to a psychiatrist for evaluation of depressive symptoms. Depression in elderly responds to SSRI drugs. Sertraline is a SSRI that is considered as safest to use in elderly. Apart from medicines provide her good support and give her proper nutrition. Visit a psychiatrist for prescription of the drugs I have mentioned.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
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