8 Common Symptoms of Mental Illness in the Aging

• UNUSUAL AVOIDANCES.
• DIFFICULTY MAKING BASIC DECISIONS.
• UNEXPLAINED STOMACH DISTRESS.
• AGITATION OR MOODINESS.
• CHANGE IN APPETITE OR SLEEPING PATTERNS.
• DISINTEREST WITH FATIGUE.
• HALLUCINATIONS OR DELUSIONS.
• SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE.

Oct 9, 2019
These symptoms of mental illness in older adults are as follows; Confusion, disorientation and problems concentrating or decision making Changes in the weight – increase or decrease in the appetite Memory Loss, especially short term memory problems

What is the most common mental illness in the elderly?

The most common mental and neurological disorders in this age group are dementia and depression , which affect approximately 5% and 7% of the world’s older population, respectively.

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 causes mental illness in elderly?

According to the World Health Organization and the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation, other potential triggers for mental illness in the elderly include: Alcohol or substance abuse. Dementia- causing illness (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease ) Illness or loss of a loved one.

What are the 5 signs of mental illness?

The five main warning signs of mental illness are as follows: Excessive paranoia, worry, or anxiety . Long-lasting sadness or irritability . Extreme changes in moods. Social withdrawal . Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping pattern.

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 can cause personality changes in the elderly?

Chronic pain, stress, and loneliness can lead to crankiness in elderly populations especially during times of transition, but seniors who are inexplicably cruel or aggressive may be suffering from deeper issues like physical pain, depression, or dementia that needs to be evaluated by a doctor.

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 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 .

What are the signs of a person losing their mind?

What are the symptoms of a nervous breakdown? depressive symptoms , such as loss of hope and thoughts of suicide or self-harm. anxiety with high blood pressure, tense muscles, clammy hands, dizziness, upset stomach, and trembling or shaking. insomnia. hallucinations. extreme mood swings or unexplained outbursts.

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 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 .

Is overreacting a mental illness?

Overreacting is a symptom of bipolar disorder . 1 Hearing harsh words that would be painful to anyone, you may well respond with extreme anger or dark depression. Even a sad movie can make a person with bipolar disorder overreact .

How do I know if I’m bipolar?

To get a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you must have had at least one manic or hypomanic experience. Signs of manic behavior include: Your mood isn’t comfortable. It might feel good at first, especially after depression.