Am I Too Old For Therapy?

Do you have the feeling that you want to talk to someone about what is going on in your life but that you shouldn’t need to do so because you are an older adult?

Just because you are older, this doesn’t mean that you should be able to figure out how to manage your problems on your own.  Sometimes it takes a counselor’s perspective to help you figure things out and see things differently.  As you get older, you may feel that you shouldn’t need to get anyone’s assistance to help you through a rough patch.  Many people believe that a decline in mental health is a normal part of aging and that older people are resistant to change.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  Did you know that nearly 20% of the older adult population has a mental health issue but that mental health services account for less than 4% of all Medicare claims?

Counselors who specialize in working with older adults are in short supply.  Few have the interest, training, or specialization to work with older adults, yet the need is great.  Healthy aging depends upon reaching out to professionals when there is a mental health need, such as grief and loneliness, anxiety, depression, and coping with health issues.  Older adults actually have an advantage over younger adults in that they have a greater capacity to manage difficult feelings.  This makes for more successful outcomes when seeking the services of a skilled counselor.

Are you confused about where to find a counselor?  Start by going to the Psychology Today website (www.psychologytoday.com).  The website’s find a therapist tool lists counselors by location and specialty and makes it easy to get in touch with someone.  Private insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid all keep a list of in-network providers.  You can always ask your family doctor for a recommendation and where to get started.  When you have found someone, call for a free consultation.  Many counselors will talk to you for a few minutes to find out what your needs are and if you are a good fit.  If your needs and the counselor’s background are not a close enough fit, the counselor may recommend someone else who more closely specializes in your situation.  What do you have to lose?  Try it out and you may just find that you are feeling better than you thought you would.

A life transition is a significant change in life circumstances that causes us to re-evaluate our lives and make necessary adjustments. However, these changes can be difficult to manage, and we can experience a wide spectrum of uncomfortable emotions.

Some examples of life transitions include:

• Aging and retirement
• Residential and geographic location changes
• Rifts in relationships and/or family strife
• Health problems and medical treatments
• Loss of a loved one through death or divorce
• Caregiving requirements

Life’s transitions can be very stressful, but they also can be beneficial by enabling us to evaluate our lives and make needed adjustments. Change can help us discover who we all over again and do what we want in life.  It can also help us grow into stronger, more resilient human beings.

While this sounds like a good thing, it is often difficult to stay positive and even-tempered during times of transition and change.  We must actively work to maintain our health and wellbeing as we navigate the changes that are taking place around us.

Remember that you don’t have to go it alone.  Navigating the uncertain landscape of change sometimes takes a professional to help guide you along.  This is especially important for people who don’t handle change well for one reason or another.

A few other ways to cope with life transitions include:

• Limit making too many changes all at once
• Stay healthy by eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest
• Take care of your mind, body, and spirit and take time to relax

There are resources available for those who are experiencing tough times. If you feel overwhelmed, confused, or distressed by your emotions, a therapist can help you work through the stress and other unwelcome emotions that life changes often cause.

Most people experience some type of short-term anxiety in their lives when they feel threatened or face difficult circumstances.  However, when short-term anxiety becomes chronic or long-term, it can develop into a serious problem.

There are many types of anxiety.  Anxiety is a reaction to stressors in daily life that can feel very uncomfortable.  This often warrants an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a condition that involves excessive and often times uncontrollable worry most of the time.  It can lead to everything from having trouble concentrating to feeling confused, restless, frustrated, and even depressed.  Generalized anxiety often means someone feels anxious without even knowing why they may be feeling that way.

When the below-listed symptoms occur suddenly or out- of-the-blue, this may be something called a panic attack.  Having a panic attack is associated with intense fear and anxiety, with symptoms often based upon perceived threat rather than imminent danger.

• Trembling or sweating
• Racing heartbeat
• Trouble breathing
• Digestive issues
• Nausea
• High blood pressure
• Trouble sleeping
• Muscle tension

Here are a few tips for coping with anxiety:

• Exercise releases endorphins in the brain, chemicals that often reduce anxious feelings
• Deep breathing and relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation, can help calm the body and mind
• A healthy diet with decreased caffeine and alcohol intake
• Spending more time around people who have a positive outlook on life
• Regular time for fun and relaxation to take your mind off of your troubles

Therapy is the best way to treat anxiety of all types because it can help you learn new ways to cope with negative thoughts and behaviors that lead to increased stress.  If you think you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, do not delay and make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Are you contemplating meeting with a counselor to help you with some personal problems you may be facing? Maybe you are feeling like you aren’t quite ready, yet you know there is something that is tugging at you to do something differently.

There is a theory about change that helps you identify the stage you are in and how ready you are to move forward and make changes with your life. As you consider counseling, it is important to understand where you stand in terms of your readiness for change in your life.

What stage do you identify with and what can you do in order to identify and reach your goals?

• Pre-contemplation: The first stage of change

This is the first stage of change when you express that you really have no desire, or intention, to change, although you do realize on some level that you have a problem.

• Contemplation: The second stage of change

This is the second stage of change when you begin thinking about your problem more and solidifying in your own mind if this is something serious enough to warrant doing something about it.

• Preparation: The third stage of change

This is the third stage of change when it feels like a light bulb may be going off inside of you. You are starting to think about options, researching the internet for resources and solutions, and/or talking to others about what they did in similar circumstances. You may even be thinking about a counselor and how they might help you with your problem.

• Action: The fourth stage of change

This is the fourth stage of change and you have decided that it is time to take some action and do something. You are now gathering information and resources about your problem and taking steps that move you closer to putting it behind you.

• Maintenance: The fifth stage of change

This is the fifth stage of change and you are now actively working on your problem and effectively dealing with challenges and setbacks as they arise. You are moving on from the behaviors and situations that caused you difficulty in the first place.

You might think that seeking out the services of a counselor may only be warranted in the fourth or fifth stages of change. This is not the case. A counselor is a trusted partner who will listen to you and help you feel understood throughout all of the stages of change so you can develop strategies to solve your problem without getting stuck.

 Read some of the examples below to see how this can work for you.

During the first stage, the Pre-contemplation stage, a counselor can help you explore the problem you have started to think about and the impact on your life. You will be assisted in beginning the process of identifying the problem and learning more about it. It is often a good idea to verbalize your thoughts and feelings to someone else so your problem becomes more real. You will feel supported and understood in the process.

 Second stage: During the second stage, the Contemplation stage, a counselor can help you make an honest evaluation of the problem and your reasons for seeking change – both the pros and the cons. You can then begin to understand and review some of the things that may stand in your way and find a sense of hope.

During the third stage, the Preparation stage, you can learn about how to take small steps towards resolving your problem. A counselor can help you develop strategies to alleviate stress and worry so you are more likely to be successful. Challenging old beliefs often improve circumstances related to health, work, relationships and/or your well-being.

During the fourth stage, the Action stage, a counselor can help you take definitive steps towards reaching your goals. A counselor is there to help you practice new behaviors so that you know you are headed in the right direction with your life.

During the fifth stage, the Maintenance stage, you will continue to do more of what works and leave behind what does not work. A counselor can help solidify your goals so that your continued success is assured.

**Take that first step to make an appointment for reaching your goals and having a more satisfying life**

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