Anxiety in Dementia

Anxiety symptoms are common in people with dementia, especially those in the earlier stages. Their excessive worries and fear might be explained by their impairments in understanding and their perceived difficulties in handling problems relating to self, the environment, or the future, causing frustration and distress, reduced engagement in activities, social withdrawal, and increased caregiver burden. However, identifying anxiety disorders and understanding the underlying fear in people with dementia can be challenging due to some overlapping symptoms between the two conditions and difficulties in assessing them. This is especially so when they are in a highly anxious state, in which they appear restless and inattentive and are preoccupied with their worrying thoughts and concerns during the interview. Managing anxiety in people with dementia is also more difficult than in those without, as the cognitive impairments might limit their ability to understand or follow the instructions of interventions. Understanding these essential differences in identifying and treating anxiety symptoms in people with dementia is, therefore, crucial for healthcare professionals when designing management plans for their patients.