Psychological Problems of Elderlies

It is very common for elderlies who are aging to cope for problems that are associated with psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. Depression can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender and race. It is a strong likelihood of it occurring when other physical health conditions are present. This can affect severely affect their life if they will continuously experience this kind of problem. “Depression affects some 10% of people aged 65 and above” (Kvaal et al., 2008). In this stage, many of their family members ended up having their own family and they have other people to take care of.

People like their mother and father would left behind because they think that they have accomplished everything which means it is time for them to rest and let their children to take over their responsibilities with their own family. Depression is also connected with the loss of friends and loved ones, but depression is a mental disorder that goes beyond sadness or bereavement.

The loss of companions and friends will cause profound sadness, but mentally healthy people will bounce back within a year and find new sources of pleasure or to cope for their depression. People would find new activities that they can enjoy like sports, arts and crafts, joining book clubs and traveling. Depression can really affect our health because it can lead to loss of appetite, insomnia and low energy. This is due because of we tend to think others who left us or who died and our mind is in a mental state where it is not allowing us to do something but to think of ourselves being alone and others.

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“Depression… can usually be treated successfully with the same means that work in younger people, such as antidepressant drugs and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy” (Hansson et al., 2012).

In addition, other older people experience anxiety disorder which “at least effect 3% of people aged 65 and older” (Kvaal et al., 2008). Anxiety is due to a medical condition that includes intense anxiety or panic that are directly caused by a physical health problem. Not all people experience the same anxiety, it all depends on the health issue and personal experiences. There are different types of anxiety: generalized anxiety disorder, phobic disorder, panic disorder and agoraphobia. Generalized anxiety disorder, phobic disorder and agoraphobia are the most common for older people unlike panic disorder is rare. In most cases agoraphobia affects older adults tend to be involve the loss of social support systems due to death of a spouse or close friends which it can lead of fear of falling on the street and refuse to leave the house alone.

Generalized anxiety disorder may arise the perception that one lacks control over one’s life which it can cause people unable to relax, let go of a worry, fear of making decisions and etc. Anxiety problems can be harmful to older people’s physical and mental health. It cause them to subjected to stress and the levels of cortisol rise which it makes them vulnerable to illness. “Psychological interventions such as cognitive-behavior therapy, have proven beneficial and do not carry the risk of side effects or potential dependence” (Casey, 2012). There are many other medications to help to heal this kind of disorders but therapies are most effective ones because they have people would assist them and give them company unlike taking medications can only be done by taking it by yourself. It is best to have someone to be there by your side in order not to feel left behind or alone.