Mind & Mood
How to identify anxiety disorders
It’s normal to feel anxious from time to time. But many older men quietly suffer from anxiety that interferes with daily life.
Everyone experiences anxiety symptoms — a thumping heart, rapid breathing, and feelings of apprehension and fear — from time to time. You might have felt anxious before an important event, a major medical procedure, or a social situation.
Some degree of anxiety is normal and signals that something is awry or needs our focused attention. "However, you don’t want this response to become exaggerated or to dominate your life," says Dr. Stephanie Collier, director of education for the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital. "If you often feel anxious without an apparent cause, you may have an anxiety disorder."
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About the Author

Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
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