This year’s World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, comes at a time when our daily lives have changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Senior citizens, being the most vulnerable have been affected the most. Furthermore, mental health issues among seniors are difficult to pick up because of unique age-related health and life challenges they face. Sometimes symptoms can be very subtle. Also, some mental health issues can be attributed to a health condition or life change. Additionally, older adults are more likely to report physical issues than psychological issues. In fact, the typical emotional and physical ageing stress can also lead to depression or anxiety.
Symptoms
As you grow older, it isn’t uncommon to see changes in emotional and mental abilities. General forgetfulness is normal. Moreover, feelings of sadness now and then are also normal. But persistent depression, anxiety, memory loss, or other cognitive issues can be signs of something more serious.
Common Warning Signs
- Change in appetite, energy level, and/or mood
- Feeling negative and low all the time
- Sleeping too much or difficulty falling and staying asleep
- Persistent thoughts of hopelessness, sadness or suicidal thoughts
- A desire or need for drugs or alcohol
- Feeling on edge, restless, or having trouble concentrating
- Increased feelings of stress or worry
- Short-term/recent memory loss
- Anger, agitation, or increased aggressiveness
- Obsessive-compulsive tendencies or thoughts
- Unusual behaviour or thoughts directed towards others
- Behaviour or thoughts that affect social opportunities, work, or family
- Persistent digestive issues, pain, or headaches not explained by other health problems
- Difficulty managing finances or tasks involving numbers
- Problems with grooming or household maintenance
Most of these symptoms can be successfully treated. Equally important is that more people than you know are going through similar feelings. But due to the stigma surrounding mental health, these issues are not discussed openly.
Common Disorders
The most common disorders experienced by the elderly are depression and anxiety. These are a few symptoms that can help you identify or express some of the emotions and feelings to a health care professional.
Depression
Feeling low and depressed is a mood disorder that ranks as the most pervasive mental health concern among older adults. In fact, if untreated, it can lead to physical and mental impairments and impede social functioning.
Common symptoms of depression include ongoing sadness, problems sleeping, physical pain or discomfort, distancing from activities previously enjoyed, and a general “slowing down.”
Anxiety
Like depression, anxiety is a very common mood disorder among the elderly. In fact, these two problems often appear in tandem.
Anxiety in seniors is thought to be underdiagnosed because older adults tend to emphasize physical problems and downplay psychiatric symptoms.
These symptoms eventually interfere with socialization, job performance, and day-to-day activities. As a result, seniors with anxiety tend to become more withdrawn and reclusive.
Elderly individuals with generalized anxiety may experience the following symptoms:
- Excessive, uncontrollable worry/anxiety
- Edginess, nervousness, or restlessness
- Chronic fatigue or tiring out easily
- Become irritable or agitated
- Poor quality of sleep or difficulty falling/staying asleep
- Tense muscles
Sometimes these maybe accompanied by panic attacks. It is characterized by periods of sudden, intense fear that can be accompanied by heart palpitations or pounding, rapid heartbeat, shaking, sweating, difficulty breathing, or experiencing feelings of doom.
A variety of techniques, supports, and treatments, including medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both, are available to address various anxiety disorders in seniors.
Some of these symptoms may also be a side effect of medication. However, these symptoms should be seen and diagnosed by a medical professional. They are experienced to determine the root cause as well as the best options for treatment.
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