Early Signs Of Mental Health Conditions In Older Adults

Early Signs of Mental Illness in Seniors

It is common to expect physical health changes as we age, but many people do not consider the impact that aging can have on the mental health of older adults. As we age, the risk of developing a mental health condition increases due to unique factors that affect older adults.

Older adults are much less likely to express feeling depressed or anxious, so it is important to watch for any significant changes in behavior to pick up on early signs of mental illness in older adults.

The presentation of symptoms in older adults can differ from younger adults, and there is a tendency to attribute symptoms of mental health conditions to “normal aging.” Mental health conditions in older adults can go unrecognized until it is too late, so educating ourselves on early signs is important for timely intervention.

Early Warning Signs of Mental Health Issues

Signs of mental illness in older adults can be subtle and often include physical signs, such as:

• Feeling tired all the time
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Not having the energy to do everyday tasks like washing dishes
• More frequent illnesses, headaches, and stomach pain
• Not taking care of personal hygiene, such as not showering for days or weeks

In addition to these physical signs, older adults can also experience:

• Memory issues
• Isolation
• Loss of interest in hobbies and previously enjoyed activities
• Feeling hopeless and worthless
• Loss of appetite often accompanied by weight loss
• Difficulty managing finances
• Changes in personality, for example, going from being a quiet person to being reckless and impulsive

It is not uncommon for people to dismiss these symptoms as “normal aging.” Even if there is awareness that these signs can indicate the development of mental illness, older adults are often reluctant to see the doctor to discuss these kinds of problems. You may feel that these symptoms are not significant enough to warrant a visit to the doctor. Many people also think that mental health conditions are a sign of weakness and are ashamed or embarrassed to admit to having symptoms of a mental illness.

What You Can Do as an Older Adult

Fortunately, there are many ways to be proactive in taking care of your mental health as you age. The number one thing you can do to help yourself is to be well-educated about the risk factors and early signs of mental illness. Stay connected to your family and friends, as isolation and loneliness are risk factors for the development of mental health conditions. Sometimes, it can be difficult to recognize mental illness in yourself. The more regularly you see your family members, the easier it is for them to pick up on any changes they may have noticed in you.

If your family inquires about your mental health, try to be open to what they have to say. Remember that they care about you and want to make sure you are doing well. The questions they ask are not intended to offend you but to get an idea about how well you are doing. They may ask about your sleep, appetite, and mood. Use this opportunity to reflect on and be honest with yourself.

Here are some ways your family members may ask about symptoms of aging-related depression:

• Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?
• Do you often get bored?
• Do you feel that your life is empty?
• Are you afraid something bad is going to happen to you?
• Do you prefer to stay at home rather than go out and do things?

These questions come from a screening questionnaire specific to depression in older adults. If you are saying yes to many of these questions, there is a higher likelihood that there are symptoms of depression present.

If your family member expresses concern about you and recommends seeing your doctor, you should follow through Even if you think you are doing fine, seeing the doctor is never a bad idea. If you are experiencing depression, the doctor will have treatments to help you feel better. If you aren’t suffering from depression, the doctor will still have some helpful advice to help prevent you from falling into depression.

Why Mental Health in Older Adults Is an Issue

It is estimated that by the year 2030, 1.4 billion people of the world’s population will be aged 60 and over. As our population lives longer, it is not uncommon for people to work past age 65, with older adults making up a large part of the workforce.

Untreated mental health conditions in older adults can have a huge economic impact with missed work and decreased productivity. Untreated mental health conditions also increase the risk of development and progression of other medical conditions, most notably brain and heart-related conditions.

There is evidence to suggest the severity of mental health conditions in older adults is higher, as this group has the highest rate of suicide compared to other age groups. According to data from the National Vital Statistics data system in 2021, men over 85 had the highest rate of suicide at 55.7 deaths per 100,000 people.

Mental Health Issues Faced by Older Adults

The most common mental disorders in older adults are depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.

Depressive disorders and anxiety disorders rank among the top 20 leading causes of disability, with depression being the second leading cause and anxiety the sixth leading cause. The 2022 National Health Statistics Reports revealed that the percentage of adults diagnosed with dementia in the US progressively increased with increasing age, with 1.7% of adults 65-74 diagnosed with dementia compared with 13.1% of adults over 85.

When To See a Doctor

It’s never too early to see a doctor. If you have been sleeping a lot and are not interested in going out and seeing your friends, it would be appropriate to see your doctor to discuss what else could be happening.

If you have been getting ill frequently or have unexplained medical symptoms (for example, having frequent headaches and stomach pain), this would be another good time to see the doctor for further evaluation.

In most cases, seeing the doctor in the next couple of weeks is appropriate. However, here are some instances where you should go to the emergency room right away:

• If you are having thoughts of wanting to die or kill yourself
• If you are feeling confused and disoriented

Sometimes, you can’t put your finger on what is wrong. You may feel “off” and not like yourself. If there has been a change from your usual behavior, you should contact your doctor.

Warning Signs In Older Adults

Mental health conditions in older adults are underreported and underdiagnosed. The following is a list of warning signs of mental health disorders in older adults:

• Frequently getting sick, constantly experiencing stomach pain and headaches
• Having so little energy you can’t get out of bed
• Lacking motivation to keep up your hygiene, not showering or brushing your teeth
• Getting more forgetful, confused, or lost on familiar routes
• Getting angry or crying more easily, sometimes without any clear reason
• Sleeping too much, waking up too early, having difficulty falling asleep
• Feeling like life isn’t worth living
• Having no appetite and losing a lot of weight
• Being unable to lower stress and having trouble relaxing

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, scheduling an appointment to meet with your doctor so they can do a full evaluation to figure out what is going on is worthwhile. If the doctor gives you a diagnosis, they will also provide recommendations for treatment so you can get better.

If the doctor doesn’t think you have anything to worry about right now, they will also provide resources for you to prevent the development of a mental health condition. Either way, early recognition and timely intervention can help you get the support you need to continue living a healthy and fulfilling life as you age.