Aging and Mental Health

Headstrong - Thu, 19 Apr 2007

Depression, dementia and other mental health issues become a greater risk as we age.

Research indicates that older adults are at a much greater risk of a number of mental illnesses and disorders than younger people. Many of these conditions are easily tested, and early medical intervention can dramatically slow the progress of degenerative dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.  Unfortunately many elderly people are reluctant to seek medical advice, which puts them at a greater risk of severe medical impairment and consequent reduction in quality of life.

There are a number of reasons as to why older people don’t seek medical advice or psychiatric treatment. They may not understand medical illness or deny that they have a problem. Often it is because of fear of the results of tests. Others believe mental deterioration is inevitable with aging,but this is not necessarily true. With appropriate medication older people can have active lives for many years. There is also a chance that a cure can be found in the meantime.

Depression is the most common mental illness, affecting around 5% of people aged 65 years and older. But the figure may actually be higher as some depressed people are misdiagnosed as having dementia, because they appear withdrawn, unable to concentrate and confused. Some researchers think that about 10% of older people are suffering from depression that can largely be cured with appropriate medical and psychiatric treatment.

Various types of dementia affect 1 in 15 older people, but this dramatically increases to 1 in 4 after the age of 80. The most common type is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for around 60% of all dementia cases.  There is no cure, and no definitive cause as yet, but extensive medical research continues.

“Many believe mental deterioration is inevitable with aging, but this is not necessarily true”

Alzheimer’s disease affects the hippocampus first, the brain’s memory centre, where it kills many neurons. Then it spreads to other areas of the brain, severely affecting many intellectual, emotional and behavioural abilities. The chance of being diagnosed with the disease increases from age 65.  Early diagnosis is crucial, as medication in the early stages can slow the progress of the disease. Unfortunately no intervention can stop the disease’s progressive damage.

Because of the widespread nature of Alzheimer’s many support groups exist for sufferers and their families, offering education on the disease, counseling, insurance information,  and day-care activities for patients.

Other types of dementia are caused by complications associated with hypertension, arterial disease, or stroke. The deterioration usually occurs periodically, rather than with a steady decline. Parkinson’s disease is characterised by tremors or involuntary movements, but dementia may develop in the advanced stages of the illness. Huntington’s disease has a genetic cause, and usually begins in middle-age.It is associated with altered personality, cognitive deterioration, psychosis, and disturbed movements.

Pseudo dementias are where people, usually the elderly, have the symptoms of dementia, such as memory loss, disorientation or confusion, but there is another cause.  Possible causes include drug overdoses or interactions, a poor diet, and diseases of the heart and lungs, and the adrenal, thyroid,pituitary and other glands. These glands regulate memory, thought processes,emotions and perceptions. So if symptoms of apparent dementia are occurring,consult a psychiatrist who can diagnose the causes, and if any of the above factors are found to be the cause, appropriate action can be taken to relieve the symptoms. 

“Interactions between different types of drugs, especially when alcohol is also taken, often occur, causing personality disorders, confusion and other dementia symptoms”

Elderly people as an age group take a lot more medication than younger age groups. Because they have slow metabolisms drugs can slowly accumulate in the body and quickly build up to toxic levels. Interactions between different types of drugs, especially when alcohol is also taken, often occur, causing personality disorders, confusion and other dementia symptoms.  

A diet low in nutrition, high in sugar or saturated fats can cause pernicious anemia, a blood disease associated with difficulty in absorbing vitamin B12, which causes irritability, depression and symptoms of dementia. Low blood sugar levels can also cause mood changes and confusion. The poor diet may result from chewing difficulties associated with dental problems.  Cardiovascular disease may cause reduced blood flow through the brain, resulting in changed personality and behaviour.

So if you suspect dementia, or your family and friends have noticed changes in your behaviour or memory, consult a doctor, who will able to advise you what to do next. Remember that a diagnosis of dementia does not mean that you can’t lead an active life.

Source: http://healthyminds.org/multimedia/ltfelderly.pdf