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Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in the Elderly Population
Acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the ailments encountered by the aging population is critical for properly providing the care that they require. Physical ailments, often easier to diagnose and treat are perceived to be the most prevalent hardships for aged people. However, studies show that a significant number of seniors are subject to mental illnesses. Thus, emphasizing the need for the important of mental health within the aging population. Though all mental illnesses have an unfavorable impact on the quality of one’s life, depressive and anxiety disorders tend to the most devastating for an elderly person.
Depression is a mood disorder defined by the prevalence of symptoms such as hopelessness, helplessness, personal devaluation and extreme sadness (Roesch, Roberta). Whereas, anxiety disorders is an overwhelming and inhibiting form of severe worry that conflicts with the likelihood of individuals being happy and successful in life (Kandel, Joseph). These ailments bear many similar symptoms such as: insomnia, fatigue, difficulty concentrating while awake. Whereas, a person with an anxiety disorder may experience pains, breathlessness, nausea and diarrhea, a person with depression will encounter thoughts of suicide, depressive mood and feelings of worthlessness.
The elderly population which consists of all adults over the age of 65, constituted for 12.3 percent or 35.9 million people of the entire United States population in 2004. Within that population, depression is estimated to affect more than 6.5 million Americans while approximately 10-20 percent of the population is suffering from an anxiety disorder. About half of the seniors suffering from anxi...
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Roesch, Roberta. “Depression in Seniors." Health Reference Center Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE48&SID=5&iPin=ENDE0206&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 16, 2014).
Ramírez, E., Ortega, A., Chamorro, A., & Colmenero, J. (2014). “A Program of Positive
Intervention in the Elderly: Memories, Gratitude and Forgiveness.” Aging & Mental Health, 18(4), 463-470. doi:10.1080/13607863.2013.856858
NpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=95004556>
Walsh, K. (2000, August 15). “Parkinson's Disease and Anxiety.” Postgraduate Medical Journal, Retrieved April 05, 2014, from http://pmj.bmj.com/content/77/904/89.short
Carolan Doerflinger, CRNP, PhD, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, D. M. (2007). Mental Status Assessment of Older Adults: The Mini-CogTM - Google Search. Retrieved November 24, 2013, from https://www.google.com/search?q=Mental+Status+Assessment+of+Older+Adults%3A+The+Mini-CogTM&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb
Darby, S. Marr, J. Crump, A Scurfield, M (1999) Older People, Nursing & Mental Health. Oxford: Buterworth-Heinemann.
The older adult population consists of people 65 and older (Miller, & Stoeckel, 2011). Depression is greater in women than men, however, the cause is unknown (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010). Both, males and females who have been previously depressed or have a biological relative with depression, have an increased risk of depression (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010). Seniors in long-term care facilities have a higher rate of being diagnosed with depression (14-42%) than those who continue to live within the community (1%-5%), therefore, levels of diagnosed depression fluctuate depending on location of residence (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010). A recent Canadian study shows 44% of older adults living in residential care have been diagnosed with depression or have symptoms of depression (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010). Depression can cause higher mortality rates, even when supplementary risk factors are considered, however, the reasons are not entirely understood (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010). Studies have shown that older adults with depression are one and a half to two times more likely to pass on than those without depression (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010).
Over the years, the amount of research has increased especially for individuals in nursing home dealing with depression. Current research has demonstrated that the prevalence of depression in nursing homes has been consistently high (Llewellyn-Jones & Snowdon, 2007, p. 629). However, current research has been done in order to determine the perception of the nursing home resident on depression. Even though healthcare workers fail to recognize depression in nursing home residents, nursing home residents with depression should seek treatment such as cognitive-behavioral-therapy for the sake that nursing home residents with depression who do not seek treatment will have an effect on their
Cooley, S., Deitch, I., Harper, M., Hinrichsen, G., Lopez, M., & Molinari, V. (1998). What practioners should know about working with older adults. American Psychological Association, Retrieved from http://www.nova.edu/gec/forms/practitioners_older_adults.pdf
Along with being the most widespread mental health disorder, women are more likely to be affected by most anxiety disorders than men. Anxiety disorders are often characterized by feelings of worry, uncertainty, anxiety, or fear, which can be so intense, it can interfere with a person’s daily activities. Therefore, it is likely for a person struggling with an anxiety disorder will find themselves unemployed, financially dependent on others and even have poor quality social relationships as well. As an anxiety disorder may affect other functional impairments, it is also important to be aware of its development considering an anxiety response affects various populations and individuals differently.
If the older patient’s complaints during a routine office visit are being ignored because of their chronological age, successful aging and quality of life will certainly be impacted by lack the of treatment for potential mental conditions. The fact that this ignorance can directly lead to suicide among this particular cohort more than any other group is frightening. Considering that social isolation is a primary reason for the onset of depression among older adults, the importance of physician and other health care provider identification of depression through screening and preventive measures are imperative. According to Blakemore (2009), 40 percent of older people who visit their general physician, half of older adult inpatients in general hospitals and 60 percent of long-term care residents have mental health problems and are often denied access to the same mental health services as younger adults including psychological therapist and drug interventions (p. 6). These numbers are astounding among a group of individuals whose physical health could be directly impacted by improved mental health care. Again, the ageism that influences screening and prevention among older adults is directly impacting the quality of life and chance at active aging among the older population.
Ageism, a term used to assign negative labels to the elderly population has caused many of these older adults to internalize such stereotypes and thus, they have been less likely to seek out mental health and substance abuse care. Substance abuse, predominantly of alcohol, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications is a growing health problem among adults age 60 and older and is a major concern that the country is facing. Even though the number of older adults suffering from these substance disorders is increasing, the situation tends to be overlooked or misdiagnosed by health care professionals and thus, inadequate treatment has not been provided to this population. One contributing factor to why substance abuse among older adults remains underdiagnosed is because indications of substance abuse in older individuals sometimes imitate symptoms of other medical and psychological disorders common among this population such as depression, dementia, and diabetes (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2012).
The life expectancy of aging adults has increased therefore; the need for counseling psychologist to provide services to this population has become more prevalent now than ever before. Due to physical and psychological decline, dependency issues, unexpected loss of employment, societal consequences and death are all challenges that older adults face throughout the aging process. This chapter highlights the growing issues that older adults often face.
Burton, Neel. "The Anatomy of Melancholy: Can Depression Be Good for You?" Lecture. TEDx. Narodni Dom, Maribor. 12 Nov. 2013. Youtube. 2 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
Thompson, D. G. (2009 ). Treating Late Life Depression: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Approach . Oxford University Press .
The intended approach to the health plan that is being discussed is to offer a holistic plan of health for the older adult. People of any generation tend to relate the words physicians, and medications with the word health. However being healthy is much more than any physician can offer by giving prescription. Holistic health looks at a person’s whole being. So to offer a holistic health plan for the older adult the plan should include physical activity, healthy nutrition and mental health components. The mental health component often times get neglected in today’s society and often health personnel do not remember to include mental health in the planning. Some would state that mental health needs to be considered
The elderly represents a large amount of the population in our society and continues to grow each day. As the population grows, it is important to meet the demands and resolve the challenges that we encounter in regards to the overall quality of health and well-being of the elderly. Mental health of the elderly is a major issue but majority of the time goes unnoticed and untreated by caregivers and loved ones. About 20 percent of adults 55 and older are suffering from some type of mental health disorder, and one in three elderly adults do not receive any type of treatment (The State of Mental Health, 2008). Those suffering from mental illness are hesitant to seek out help or any type of treatment because of the stigma, services and cost for care that then comes with mental health disorders. Mental health issues that affect elderly include dementia, delirium, and psychosis. Some of the most common conditions include anxiety, mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder and cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease. Mental health is essential to the
National Institute of Mental Health. (2009). Studying anxiety disorders. NIH Medline plus, 5, 13-15. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/complete-index.shtml
Many people feel apprehensive and miserable every now and then, but when does it take over their whole lives? Losing a loved one, doing poorly in school or work, being bullied and other hardships might lead a person to feel sad, lonely, scared, nervous and/or anxious. Some people experience this on an everyday basis, sometimes even or no reason at all. Those people might have an anxiety disorder, depression, or both. It is highly likely for someone with an anxiety disorder to also be suffering from depression, or the other way around. 50% of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.