Common mental illnesses that are prevalent in the elderly include depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Just how prevalent are these illnesses? 6 million Americans over the age of 65 are affected by depression and as many as 5 million may have Alzheimer’s.May 6, 2015Includes Diseases: Bipolar disorder; Schizophrenia; Anxiety

Four Common Mental Illnesses in the Elderly: Learn the Risk Factors and Symptoms to Watch for

1. Depression. Depression is a type of mood disorder that ranks as the most pervasive mental health concern among older
2. Anxiety Disorders. Like depression, anxiety is a very common mood disorder among the elderly. In fact, these two

What are the most common psychiatric illnesses in the elderly?

Here are some of the most common mental health illnesses experienced by older adults: Depression . Depression is a type of mood disorder that ranks as the most pervasive mental health concern among older adults. Anxiety Disorders . Bipolar Disorders . Eating Disorders. 4 Smart Senior Technology Trends.

What are the two main mental illnesses that affect elderly patients?

According to the World Health Organization, the most common mental and neurological disorders among people aged 60 and older are dementia and depression , which affect approximately 5 and 7 percent of the world’s older population, respectively. Anxiety disorders affect approximately 3.8 percent of seniors worldwide.

What are the 7 types of mental disorders?

Summary Anxiety disorders , including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias. Depression , bipolar disorder , and other mood disorders. Eating disorders . Personality disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder . Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia .

What are elderly persons disorders?

Common mental illnesses that are prevalent in the elderly include depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Just how prevalent are these illnesses? 6 million Americans over the age of 65 are affected by depression and as many as 5 million may have Alzheimer’s.

What are some signs of insanity?

Symptoms Feeling sad or down. Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate. Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt. Extreme mood changes of highs and lows. Withdrawal from friends and activities. Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping.

What is the most common delusion?

Persecutory delusion This is the most common form of delusional disorder. In this form, the affected person fears they are being stalked, spied upon, obstructed, poisoned, conspired against or harassed by other individuals or an organization.

What mental illness gets worse with age?

Personality disorders that are susceptible to worsening with age include paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, obsessive compulsive, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, and dependent, said Dr. Rosowsky, a geropsychologist in Needham, Mass.

What causes mood swings in the elderly?

Your loved one’s mood changes could be caused by them reacting out of pain or exasperation to a medical condition that you may not even be able to see. In other cases, severe mood swings in seniors could be due to personal frustration with their changing bodies and lifestyles.

What are psychological changes in the elderly?

Most older adults report good mental health and have fewer mental health problems than other age groups. However, one in four older adults experiences a mental health problem such as depression , anxiety , schizophrenia or dementia. The suicide rate for men over 85 is higher than that of any other age group.

What is psychotic syndrome?

Summary. Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions. People with psychoses lose touch with reality. Two of the main symptoms are delusions and hallucinations.

What is the rarest mental illness?

Apotemnophilia. Also known as body integrity identity disorder, apotemnophilia is characterized by the “overwhelming desire to amputate healthy parts of [the] body ,” according to Medscape. Though not much is known about it, this disorder is believed to be neurological.

What are the 10 personality disorders?

DSM-5 lists ten specific personality disorders: paranoid, schizoid , schizotypal , antisocial, borderline , histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder .

Why do seniors lie?

Confabulation. Seniors living with dementia are aware their memory is slipping away, and this leads to a great deal of confusion and turmoil. Many times, lying is just an unconscious defense mechanism called confabulation, which means your loved one is unconsciously replacing his or her lost memories with false ones.

How do you deal with a crazy elderly person?

How to Communicate With Difficult Seniors and Older Adults Exercise Patience and Compassion. It goes without saying that patience and compassion are often needed when dealing with the elderly . Ask Instead of Order. Ask Instead of Assume. Use “I” instead of “You” Language. Offer Choices Whenever Possible. Set Consequences.

What causes elderly anxiety?

Common fears about aging can lead to anxiety . Many older adults are afraid of falling, being unable to afford living expenses and medication, being victimized, being dependent on others, being left alone, and death. Older adults and their families should be aware that health changes can also bring on anxiety .