Which of the following problems is common when attempting to diagnose anxiety disorders in older adults?
A) Anxiety disorders in older people are often comorbid with substance abuse.
B) Older adults often over-report anxiety symptoms.
C) Anxiety disorders in older people are often comorbid with personality disorders.
D) Most of the scales used to measure symptoms of anxiety have been normed and validated only with younger adults.
E) The DSM-5 does not recognize anxiety in older populations.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Most measures used to assess anxiety in clinical settings have been validated with younger adults and may not adequately capture the unique presentation of anxiety in older adults. This can make it difficult to accurately diagnose anxiety disorders in older populations. While comorbid substance abuse and personality disorders may also be common concerns, they are not specific to the difficulty of diagnosing anxiety in older adults. The DSM-5 does recognize anxiety disorders in older adults, so option E is incorrect.

Which of the Following Problems Is Common When Attempting to Diagnose