Conversations about Anxiety
Rosemary and Alice - At the Senior Center
Rosemary usually meets with her friends at the Reedville Senior Center on Thursdays. This is the first time that Rosemary has been to the center in a few weeks.
Rosemary: It's good to be back here. I've missed you all!
Alice: We missed you, too. You look great. Jean Ellen said that you were having some health problems.
Rosemary: Yes, I had "postural hypotension". I was getting dizzy when I sat up in bed in the morning. I felt so strange and I was very anxious. I've never had a heart attack, but maybe that's what it feels like. My heart was racing.
Alice: Did your doctor give you something for that?
Rosemary: She did. The medicine helped with the dizziness, but I was still feeling panicky.
Alice: Did that feeling ever go away?
Rosemary: It did, but only after a lot of trial and error–trying to find out what the problem was. I stopped drinking coffee and that helped a lot. My doctor told me that postural hypotension can bring on anxiety. Caffeine can, too. So I've been taking medicine for the medical problem and I switched to herbal tea, and now I feel much better.
Louis and Joe - Problems with Dad
Louis: Hi, Joe. How's it going?
Joe: Okay. Actually–not okay. My dad's having a tough day. Lately he's been getting so confused and panicky. He's withdrawn, too.
Louis: He used to be so outgoing.
Joe: I know. He's not himself. He doesn't sleep well. I find him in the morning, sitting in his chair worrying about the state of the world. Fortunately, his gloom and doom usually get better as the day goes on.
Louis: It must be so hard for him now that your mother is gone.
Joe: Yes, I really noticed that his anxiety was kicking up right after she died. I think the fact that he's homebound now just makes it worse.
Louis: Does anything seem to help?
Joe: Well, there's always Buddy, his old golden retriever. I don't know what he'd do without that dog.
Louis: Have you talked with your dad's doctor about his anxiety?
Joe: You know, I haven't. That's a good idea. I bet Dr. Axel could prescribe something that would make him feel better.
Louis: I hope so. Let me know how it works out.
Joe: Thanks, Lou. I'm too close to the forest to see the trees sometimes. You always have the best advice.
Louis: Well, you have a lot on your mind right now. I hope your dad feels better soon.
Wilma and José - Going It Alone
José has been delivering food to Wilma through Meals on Wheels for six years. Over the years, they have become friends. Today, he notices that she seems lost in thought.
José: Are you feeling okay today Wilma? You seem a little distracted.
Wilma: I guess you could say I'm feeling under the weather. Every time I think of all the errands I have to run and all the loose ends I have to tie up, my heart races and I feel like the wind just got knocked out of me.
José: I'm sorry, Wilma. It does seem that when Mac was around, he did a lot of the errands. You must feel a little overwhelmed.
Wilma: I was spoiled--Mac paid all of the bills and took care of most of the shopping. Now that he is gone, it has all fallen on my shoulders. I feel like I just can't take it. And it's only been 7 months since he died. I am still getting used to being a widow.
José: You seemed to handle everything so well when Mac had his back surgery a few years ago. I was impressed!
Wilma: This feels different, like I can't get a handle on my worries. They just spin around inside my head all day and leave me with knots in my stomach. And I don't have Mac around to help take off some of the pressure.
José: This sounds like something you may want to see your doctor about. Another woman on my route went through the same type of thing last year. She had a panic attack while she was on the bus on her way to the supermarket.
Wilma: That's terrible! What happened?
José: She ended up seeing her doctor, and he gave her some medicine to make her feel better. She also goes to a support group every week at her church. She seems much happier now.
Wilma: I have an appointment next week to get a checkup. I'll see if my doctor can help me. I just can't take the worry anymore.
