The Facts About Mental Illness in The Elderly

10 Symptoms of Mental Illness in the Elderly
Posted On 07 Oct 2013

By : Sarah Stevenson
Tag: mental illness in seniors, mental illness in the elderly
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How do you know if your loved one is experiencing symptoms of mental illness or just
the normal changes of older age? Get the facts on mental illness in the elderly during
Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Did you know that about 20 percent of

adults aged 55 or older have experienced some type of mental health concern, but
nearly one in three of those seniors do not receive treatment? (CDC; National Institute
of Mental Health) The statistics on mental illness in seniors are sobering, but with
knowledge and vigilance, caregivers can stay aware of the mental and emotional
health of their older loved ones and make sure they get properly treated if they are
experiencing a problem. This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week, and there’s no
better time to get educated on mental illness in seniors: the facts, the causes, and the
symptoms to watch out for.
The Facts About Mental Illness in the Elderly
You might not be surprised to read that the most common mental health issue among
the elderly is severe cognitive impairment or dementia, particularly caused by
Alzheimer’s disease (National Alliance on Mental Illness). An estimated 5 million
adults 65 and older currently have Alzheimer’s disease—about 11 percent of seniors,
according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Other types of dementia bring the numbers
even higher.
Depression and mood disorders are also fairly widespread among older adults, and
disturbingly, they often go undiagnosed and untreated. In a 2006 survey, 5% of
seniors 65 and older reported having current depression, and about 10.5% reported a
diagnosis of depression at some point in their lives (CDC).
Often going along with depression in many individuals, anxiety is also one of the
more prevalent mental health problems among the elderly. Anxiety disorders
encompass a range of issues, from obsessive-compulsive disorder (including hoarding
syndrome) to phobias to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About 7.6% of those
over 65 have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives,
reports the CDC.
Causes and Risk Factors for Senior Mental Illness
One of the ongoing problem with diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in seniors
is the fact that older adults are more likely to report physical symptoms than
psychiatric complaints (CDC). However, even the normal physical and emotional
stresses that go along with aging can be risk factors for mental illnesses like anxiety
and depression. The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation lists a number of potential
triggers for mental illness in the elderly:
 Physical disability
 Long-term illness (e.g., heart disease or cancer)
 Dementia-causing illness (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease)
 Physical illnesses that can affect thought, memory, and emotion (e.g. thyroid or
adrenal disease)
 Change of environment, like moving into assisted living
 Illness or loss of a loved one
 Medication interactions
 Alcohol or substance abuse
 Poor diet or malnutrition
Is it Mental Illness or Aging? 10 Symptoms of Mental
Illness
As our loved ones age, it’s natural for some changes to occur. Regular forgetfulness is
one thing, however; persistent memory loss or cognitive impairment is another thing
and potentially serious. The same goes for extreme anxiety or long-term depression.
Caregivers should keep an eye out for the following warning signs, which could
indicate a mental health concern:
1. Sad or depressed mood lasting longer than two weeks
2. Social withdrawal; loss of interest in things that used to be enjoyable
3. Unexplained fatigue, energy loss, or sleep changes
4. Confusion, disorientation, problems with concentration or decision-making
5. Increase or decrease in appetite; changes in weight
6. Memory loss, especially recent or short-term memory problems
7. Feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, helplessness; thoughts of suicide
8. Physical problems that can’t otherwise be explained: aches, constipation, etc.
9. Changes in appearance or dress, or problems maintaining the home or yard
10.Trouble handling finances or working with numbers
Don’t hesitate to seek help if your loved one is experiencing any of the symptoms
above, urges the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation. There are professionals out
there willing and able to help, including your family doctor, who is always a good
place to start. You could also consult a counselor, a psychologist, or a geriatric
psychiatrist. The important part is not to stand by and suffer alone. With the combined
efforts of families, caregivers, and mental health professionals, we can help ward off
mental illness in our older loved ones and make sure they are on the right track to
healthy aging.
If you’ve had to cope with mental illness in an older loved one, we invite you to share
your experiences and advice for our readers. Please feel free to join the discussion
below.
More Articles
 14 Ways to Help Seniors Avoid Social Isolation
 How to Approach Senior Care When a Loved One Has Mental Illness
 6 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Dementia Risk
10 Symptoms of Mental Illness in the Elderly posted by Sarah Stevenson
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About the Author

Sarah J. Stevenson is a writer, artist, editor and graphic designer living in Northern
California. Her visual art has been exhibited around California, and her writing has
appeared in a variety of web sites and print publications. In addition to writing about
older adults, she also writes for younger ones--her first novel for young adults, THE
LATTE REBELLION, was published in 2011 by Flux. For more information, please
visit: http://www.sarahjamilastevenson.comView Sarah's Google Profile.
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10 Symptoms of Mental Illness in the Elderly

Posted On 07 Oct 2013

Did you know that about 20 percent of

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Please share your thoughts or comments on this article:

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