The National Academy of Medicine reports that mental health issues affect 20% of the elderly population. Home Care Lakewood shares some useful info below;

The Roots of Mental Illness

It usually isn't a single factor that leads to mental illness.

• Daily stress
• Genetics
• Substance abuse
• Physical and emotional trauma

Mental health researchers have found evidence that malfunctioning brain circuits contribute to an unhealthy mind.

Anxiety And Depression

Anxiety and depression are emotional health issues most likely to occur in seniors.

Anxiety

Generalized anxiety and social anxiety are the most common types of anxiety disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

The emotional symptoms of GAD include always being uptight, excessive worry, restlessness, and agitation. Muscle tension, lack of stamina, and loss of sleep are the physical indicators of generalized anxiety. Difficulty staying focused and memory issues may be attributable to GAD.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Nervousness in the presence of others so intense it causes nausea, flushing of the face, excessive perspiration, and tingling are indicative of a social anxiety disorder. People with SAD eschew social interaction for fear of being humiliated, judged, or not being accepted. The above symptoms make it difficult for those with social anxiety to form personal relationships.

Treatment

A diagnosis of a social anxiety disorder requires a primary care physician ruling out a medical condition or drug side-effect as the source of symptoms. Upon diagnosing social anxiety, a mental health professional could prescribe therapy and or medication. Self-help techniques like regular exercise, yoga, meditation, and breath control provide additional treatment options.

Depression

In the elderly, the symptoms of depression are sometimes mistaken for the changes that come with age. Seniors and younger people are affected by depression in profoundly different ways. Melancholia impedes an older person's (65+) ability to recover from illness or injury. Depression increases the risk of death from medical conditions like cancer and heart disease.

Depression Risk Factors

The incidence of depression is higher in women. Chronic medical conditions and infirmity increase the chances of developing melancholia. Isolation, grief, and fear of dying are risk factors for depression.

Seniors under someone else's care, whether at home or in a long-term care facility, are more likely to become depressed. People who can't manage stress, substance abusers, and those living with chronic pain are at high risk of becoming melancholic. The chances of depression accompanying Alzheimer’s are as high as 40%.

Symptoms

Depression is treatable if the symptoms are recognized early enough. 

• Excessive eating or an inability to eat
• Sleeping too much or insomnia
• Lack of self-esteem, a general loss of interest, and self-alienation

The most severe depression symptom is suicidal ideation.

Treatment

Successful treatment of depression goes beyond meds and psychotherapy. Managing melancholia requires changing your life. Someone trying to overcome depression needs more socialization, to find a pastime and an exercise program.