[Anxious elderly person].

Anxiety disorder occurs in approx. 6% of persons over 65 years of age. A large proportion of elderly patients suffering from anxiety seek medical help at a general practitioner, complaining somatic symptoms. Clinical examinations include evaluating the patient's psychic and social situation, and adequate somatic investigations. Most patients are treatable by the general practitioner; those with the most difficult symptoms and refractory ones belong to specialized care. Essential forms of treatment include supportive therapy, psychotherapies and SSRI drugs.