Symptoms of mental illness in older people not to ignore

As a family member or senior caregiver of an older person, you not only play a crucial role in daily tasks, but you also make sure that your loved one's mental health is in good shape.

It is estimated that 20% of people aged 55 and over have a mental health problem, most commonly anxiety, severe cognitive impairment, and mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder. Women aged 50 and older report more depression symptoms than men, while older men have the highest suicide rate of all age groups.

The good news is that in all of this darkness, depression is one of the best-treated diseases, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The hardest thing is to spot the disease before it's too late.

Research of The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry shows that the symptoms of depression in the elderly do not differ much from the symptoms that young adults feel, but that the elderly are not as likely to receive the appropriate treatment.

Dr. Susan W. Lehmann, Clinical Director of the Division of Geriatric and Neuropsychiatric Psychiatry and Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Day Hospital of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said at the University of Toronto. US News & World Report that "adults over the age of 65 are much less likely to be asked by their primary care physician if they feel tense or anxious and are much less likely to be referred by their primary care physician. primary care for specialized mental health care. "

It is common for older people to experience several health problems that require multiple medications at once, which can all affect mood and even lead to a diagnosis. "It can be difficult to dispel depression and other mental health problems from concomitant medical conditions or medications that may cause symptoms similar to those of depression and other mental health symptoms," said Lehman at United States News & World Report.

So what are the symptoms that you should watch for? The National Institute of Mental Health shares these warning signs:

1. Noticeable changes in mood, energy level or appetite

2. Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions

3. Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

4. Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless or exhausted

5. Increased worry or feeling of stress

6. Anger, irritability or aggressiveness

7. Headache, digestive problems or persistent pain

8. Need alcohol or drugs

9. Sadness or despair

10. Suicidal thoughts

11. Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions

12. Engage in high risk activities

13. Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior

14. Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family or social life

15. Unusual thoughts or behaviors that relate to others

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry reports that untreated psychiatric disorders in the elderly have consequences such as social deprivation, poor quality of life, cognitive decline, increased risk of somatic disorders, suicide and increased non-suicidal mortality. It is therefore essential to treat your loved one before it is too late.

With regard to the treatment of mental illness, the evidence provided by The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry shows that antidepressants are not as effective in adults over 65 years of age. However, both psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) have been shown to be effective.

If you need to find a mental health treatment for a loved one, call the Removal Help Line for Treatment of the Addiction and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP. . If you need support or immediate intervention, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Trained crisis workers are available to speak 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Let ComForCare Palm Beach become an integral care partner for you and your loved one. Their personalized care plans and caregivers help seniors live independently at home and continue to do whatever they love.

For more information, visit palmbeach.comforcare.com or call 561-630-1620.