Dr. Nancy News Release
Aging Fears Linked to Higher Heart Disease Risk.
Clinical psychologist found fear in women of all ages.
Negative attitudes toward aging in young people increase the likelihood of suffering a heart attack or stroke later in life. That's why it's so dangerous that nearly half of women say they are afraid of getting older, says clinical psychologist Nancy D. O'Reilly, Psy.D.
Dr. O'Reilly's research with more than1,000 women showed that fear of aging is highest in women ages 20-39, and that women who feared aging were more likely to diet and less likely to exercise to control their weight. This is bad news, because exercise is widely regarded as the single most important step to heart health.
People with negative stereotypes about aging were nearly twice as likely to suffer heart attack, stroke, or other heart problems when they grow older compared to those with more positive images of aging, according to an article appearing in the March issue of Psychological Science. A Yale news release said researchers at Yale believe this happens because people with negative ideas about aging were less likely to engage in healthy behaviors, which confirms Dr. O'Reilly's findings.
Dr. O'Reilly's research is summarized at http://www.womenspeak.com/professionals/research-results. Her work also reveals that women who lack a support system and positive role models often fail to develop a positive perception of their aging process, and that concerns about health, finances and relationships contribute to aging worries.
"The aging process can be lonely and depressing for women of all ages, especially if their beauty and looks have been their main calling card to the world," Dr. O'Reilly says. "A quick review of print and electronic media shows the pressure on women not to let their age show. This causes women to feel guilty about losing their youthful beauty."
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O'Reilly is founder of the online resource WomenSpeak.com, which is based on a decade of research about women's issues and concerns. Her groundbreaking research exploring women's perceptions of aging has been published in the American Journal of Health Behavior. A member of the American Psychological Association with more than 25 years of experience, Dr. O'Reilly counsels others on everything from mental health and stress to aging, relationships and careers. She is author of, "Timeless Women Speak: Feeling Youthful At Any Age," and hosts a radio program on WebTalkRadio.net, called "Timeless Women Speak."
For more information on the book or to schedule an interview, contact Maggie Castrey, mcastrey@att.net, 417-631-9964.
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