According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20% of adults over the age of 50 experience issues with their mental health. The most common concerns include anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, and severe cognitive impairment. Mental health issues not only cause mental and emotional suffering, but they can also make it difficult to manage physical health conditions. Effective treatment is available for mental health disorders, and it can improve the symptoms as well as the person’s overall health and quality of life.

Unfortunately, mental illness is underdiagnosed in seniors, and many mental health problems go untreated. What’s more, mental illness increases the risk of suicide, which older adults are already vulnerable to. You may be surprised to hear that although seniors account for 12% of the population, they make up 18% of suicides.

It’s important for all of us to know how to spot signs of mental illness in the elderly so we can help them get the support they need to relieve their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Take a look at the following 10 signs that may point to mental health problems in seniors.

1. Social isolation

Withdrawal from social activities may be a sign of depression or other mental health issues.

2. Appetite changes

Increased or decreased appetite or sudden weight loss or gain may point to an underlying mental health problem.

3. Confusion or disorientation

Although most people assume confusion or disorientation in the elderly is a sign of dementia, it can also be a sign of major depression or psychosis.

4. Unexplained physical symptoms

Muscle tension and pain, sweating and shaking, digestive upsets, and changes in bowel habits could be physical manifestations of mental health problems.

5. Depressed mood that lasts longer than 2 weeks

Sadness, low mood, lethargy, or other depressive symptoms that last 2 weeks or more could point to a serious mood disorder.

6. Changes in personal hygiene

People with mental health issues sometimes lose the energy to bathe, change their clothes or brush their teeth. Others may suddenly become obsessive about staying clean, and may tend to these personal hygiene tasks excessively.

7. Loss of interest in activities

When a person begins to lose interest in activities they once found pleasurable, it may be a sign of depression or other mental health issues.

8. Substance misuse

Often, people with mental health problems increase their consumption of alcohol or other substances, including unhealthy foods, in order to cope with their symptoms.

9. Sleep changes

Sudden sleep changes, such as excessive sleeping or difficulty sleeping, may be a sign of a mental health disorder.

10. Feelings of despair, worthlessness, or inappropriate guilt

Depression and other mood disorders often lead to feelings of despair, worthlessness, sorrow, emptiness, or inappropriate guilt.

Many people mistakenly believe that depression is a normal part of aging. Although it’s not true, older adults are susceptible to depression and other mental health disorders for a number of reasons, including: the grief and loss of loved ones, chronic health conditions, or limited functioning that often accompany aging. The right diagnosis and the appropriate treatment can make all the difference in a senior’s life. If you or someone you love is showing signs of mental health problems, contact a mental health provider and ask for help today.

We’re committed to the mental and physical health of our patients

At Bella Vista Health Center, we take mental health seriously. Our team is committed to the overall wellbeing of everyone who comes through our doors. If you’re looking for a 5-Star skilled nursing facility that provides exceptional rehabilitative care in a compassionate environment, we’re here for you. Give us a call at (619) 644-1000 today.