WAR
ANXIETY
DON'T FORGET THE SENIORS
by Pamela Brewer, MSW, Ph.D., LCSW-C
There is much that we, as adults, intellectually, "get" when it comes to thinking about the potential for war
and yet,
we often struggle as to just how to share our knowledge
with the little ones we try to love and cherish and protect.
But what of the seniors?
What of our parents and grandparents who are alone or in nursing homes, or with us in our homes, who have memories of other wars? Wars in which they lost a best friend, or the child they never imagined they'd bury. It is important to involve these important members of our society - hear their stories and memories. Hear their concerns and to the extent tolerable for you and for them - let them help with your talks and reassurances to the children, and quite frankly, to YOU.
The chronic roller-coaster anxiety of changing terror alerts - the ongoing warnings about staying in touch, developing crisis plans, the stories about missiles and gasmasks have changed the way we think about stress. Emotions such as anger and fear are human and understandable - and can be accented by addictively watching/listening to news.
For our seniors, our children and ourselves each day needs to have some tension release - whether it's exercise, deep breathing, renting or watching a funny movie - whatever you choose, you must choose something.
Denial the potential is as harming as taking a bath in the fear - both must be guarded against. Structure and the provision of emotional comfort are important for all age groups.
ACTIVITY CHANGES OF CONCERN FOR SENIORS
Change in adherence to medication/exercise, etc. routines.
Change in socialization routines.
Increased startle response/ hypersensitivity to sound including helicopters/airplanes.
Increased signs of depression.
Increased anxiety.
Increased substance use.
EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOR REQUIRING IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION
Severe dissociation (feeling as if you or the world is "unreal," not feeling connected to one's own body, losing one's sense of identity or taking on a new identity, amnesia).
Extreme avoidance of daily activities and interaction with others.
Multiple sleep disturbing nightmares.
Severe anxiety (obsessive worry .
Significant depression (lack of pleasure in life, worthlessness, self-blame,
suicidality /homicidality)
Chronic use of substances.
Whether an infant, a child, an adult, a senior....any changes in daily living behaviors merit attention. Duration of @ 2-3 weeks, if not sooner, is a signal that you should seek professional attention to determine, what, if anything, needs to be done to help the individual.
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