Are More Elderly Individuals Suffering From Mental Health Problems?

Within the UK more and more people are being affected by problems surrounding mental health. It has been found that 1 in 4 people within the UK will experience some mental health problems throughout the course of a year. However it is important that if you feel that yourself or a loved one may be suffering from a mental health disorder the appropriate help should be sought. There are lots of organisations available that can provide help and advice to help you get through the condition.Types Of Mental Health DisorderDepression is a condition that causes an individual to have persistently low moods, and feelings of anxiety and tiredness. Depression is one of the most common forms of mental disorders in the UK and it currently affects 1 in 5 older people. It is also more common for women to be affected by mental illnesses in comparison to men.Anxiety is another common form of mental health disorder. The main symptom of this condition is constant or unrealistic worry about aspects of daily life. Anxiety can also cause a number of other symptoms including: restlessness, increased heart rate, sleeping problems, and feeling shaky. Anxiety is becoming more and more common in individuals within the UK.There are a number of different mental health disorders that could affect an individual at any point in their lives. These conditions include: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Phobias, Personality Disorders and Eating Disorders.If you feel that yourself or a loved one may be suffering from any mental health disorders, it is important that you seek advice from a doctor. You shouldn’t have to suffer in silence, and there is a wide variety of help that is available for dealing with mental disorders. In the UK the NHS website has lot of information that help signpost you to the help you need. Some of the charities that are working with these issues are Mind, Sane and Rethink who are there to help you nationwide.Mental Health And The ElderlyMental health problems are not a certainty of ageing, however at present the rate of older individuals suffering from mental health disorders is increasing. Within the elderly population Dementia is one of the most common forms of mental health disorder. Dementia affects an individual’s memory, and can have a significant impact on the individual’s ability to complete daily living tasks unaided.Depression is also an increasing common mental disorder to affect the elderly. Currently it is estimated that between 10-16% of those over 65 are suffering with Depression, and 2-4% of those individuals are suffering with severe Depression. This may be a result of more and more elderly individuals living alone, as well as elderly individuals being moved into residential or nursing homes, where the surroundings are unfamiliar.There a number of different types of mental health disorders that can affect the elderly and these can include: delirium, anxiety, and late on-set schizophrenia. Although these are similar to the common types of mental health disorders, the nature and course of the illness may be different in comparison to younger individuals and the treatment of the disorders may also be different.As with many health issues, do not delay seeking advice as there are many sources of help that are not judgemental about your condition. People often seem to think that their situation is totally unique until they start talking to professionals that deal with mental health issues every day.Home Care And Mental IllnessImplementing a home care package may be a viable option for those who are suffering with mental illnesses. This is because it will give them the opportunity to receive the help and support that they need. Care workers would be able to visit individuals within their own homes, and provide help with all aspects of daily living including: meal preparation, medication management, as well as providing assistance with domestic duties. A care worker can also provide support for going on outings.A home care package may be extremely beneficial for an individual suffering with mental issues, as it will give them the opportunity to take control, and start doing the things that they want to in order to make daily living more fulfilling. Care workers can, also, help in pointing people to other sources of help and advice.