Common Mental Health Conditions Impacting Seniors
“When thinking of age-related health issues, physical infirmity probably springs to most people’s minds; however, seniors are also prone to mental health disorders. Another exciting transition is retirement, which many people anticipate with enthusiasm but might trigger or exacerbate mental health issues.
Although there are insufficient studies into seniors’ mental health, those that do exist expose cause for concern. For example, almost one-fourth of seniors in the United States are believed to be socially isolated and approximately two-thirds don’t get the mental health treatment they need. Assisted living facilities provide safe, secure and sociable homes with staff trained to care for residents with mental health issues. This guide provides an overview of the mental health conditions that seniors typically face and how assisted living can help.
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Some mental health conditions are common among seniors. Given their general prevalence, however, there are often a variety of ways to treat them.
Anxiety Disorders
An anxiety disorder may make a senior become so anxious that dealing with everyday life becomes a challenge. Common symptoms you may notice include uncontrollable fear, obsessive thinking, insomnia, increased heartbeat and headaches. It is estimated that anywhere from 3% to 14% of America’s older adults have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. This could be due to one or more risk factors most relevant to the senior population, such as bereavement, reduced mobility and financial insecurity. Fortunately, anxiety can be effectively treated by medications and psychotherapy.
Bipolar Disorder
Most people with bipolar disorder experience severe mood swings that include manic highs and depressive lows. The precise cause for these swings isn’t known, but genetics, a chemical imbalance in the brain, childhood trauma and stressful life events are believed to be factors. Around 25% of people with bipolar disorder are aged 60+, and this figure is projected to exceed 50% by 2030. Seniors should visit their doctor if they think they’re experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Depression
Depression is a medical condition that can cause someone to continuously experience feelings such as sadness, hopelessness and apathy for lengthy periods — typically weeks or longer. Significant events, such as losing a loved one, can lead to depression in the elderly. Depression affects 1% to 5% of seniors, rising to 11.5% of those hospitalized and 13.5% in those receiving home care. It can be treated with psychotherapy and/or antidepressant drugs.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders typically appear in early adulthood (age 18 for bulimia and anorexia and 21 for binge eating disorder) and may continue into the retirement years. As we age and our metabolism slows down and hormone levels decrease, it can become a challenge to lose weight, and seniors who aren’t used to carrying a few extra pounds may develop unhealthy habits with food. Health risks associated with eating disorders include heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Seniors should speak to a doctor if they’re concerned about their relationship to food, as common treatments include psychotherapy, nutritional counseling and medications.
Medication Misuse
Many people take prescription drugs to treat physical ailments, pain, mental disorders and chronic conditions, and some medications may contain addictive and potentially dangerous controlled substances. Patients may, for example, take more than the recommended dose or use drugs prescribed for someone else. Misusing drugs may reduce their effectiveness, increase interactions with other drugs and cause serious side effects, including death.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is caused by a traumatic event, such as a near-death experience or an attack. It’s believed current data under-represents the problem, but some studies reveal 1.5% to 4% of adults aged 60+ have PTSD, with 7% to 15% exhibiting subclinical level symptoms, which is not enough for a confident diagnosis. Symptoms include experiencing intrusive thoughts and nightmares, sleeping poorly and having angry outbursts. Cognitive and exposure therapies are effective treatments, as is joining a support group. Seniors should contact their doctor if they show signs of PTSD.”
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Article provided by www.caring.com, published on March 4, 2023.