Mental illness and disorders can affect people of all ages, and it leads to mood and behaviour fluctuations. Some of the most common mental illnesses include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia, etc.
Mental illness can hamper the quality of life, and it is highly crucial for individuals suffering from mental illnesses to undergo therapy and take medication where required. However, older adults are also prone to the risk of mental illnesses and neurodegenerative disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
What is mental illness?
People need to understand that there is a difference between mental illness and mental health. While mental health refers to overall emotional well-being. Mental illnesses are diagnosable conditions which include depression and in older adults dementia.
Mental illness is a condition in which our emotions change, including our thinking and behaviour. It will affect our daily mood and, eventually, our daily life.
What are the causes of mental illness in older adults?
The factors causing mental illness in older adults vary from person to person. Some of the most prominent ones include the following:
What are the symptoms of mental illness?
Some of the most common symptoms that often reflect the individual to be suffering from mental illness include:
What are the signs of mental illness in older adults?
Some of the signs of mental illness to watch for in older adults include the following:
Loss of memory or the habit of frequently forgetting things can signify Alzheimer’s or Dementia. This is just the early stage. Some of the common signs of memory issues in individuals include
While mood changes are a part of the ageing process, if it lasts for a long time, it indicates a problem. In the initial weeks, it will be fine. However, the condition may worsen after a certain point with people reflecting an altered personality.
Changes in personal appearance can speak a lot about what the person is going through. They may skip bathing or refrain from having food in many instances. However, this condition will vary from person to person.
Conclusion
If you see your loved one experiencing any of these signs for a prolonged time, do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor. They may be the best ones to help you understand how to manage these changes.
Samvedna Care offers specialized services to take care of senior citizens. They offer home care, group programs and caregiver support for those suffering from dementia. You can get in touch with them if you need help for your loved ones if you are in Delhi/NCR.