Network analysis of anxiety and depression in the functionally impaired elderly

Abstract

Complex fine-grained relationships exist between anxiety and depression in functionally impaired elderly individuals. "Uncontrollable worry," "depressed or sad mood," "irritable" and "concentration difficulties" are identified as the potential targets for intervention of anxiety and depression. Our study emphasizes the necessity of suicide prevention for functionally impaired elderly individuals, and the symptom "feeling of worthlessness" can be used as an effective target.