| Not all mental changes in the elderly are due to organic brain
syndromes. Elderly people who have suffered from mental illness
earlier in life are more likely to develop the same problems in
old age. Some of these psychiatric illnesses are:
- Reactive depressions - related to stressful life changes, such
as loss of a spouse or close friend, loss of function, job, home,
or other important things. Obviously, with the enormous changes
in lifestyle accompanying aging, reactive depressions are common
and should be recognized among the elderly.
- Unipolar/bipolar affective disorders - depressions and manic
disorders that are not reactive to changes, but are related to
biochemical brain abnormalities. They are treatable with drugs
which may help correct these abnormalities. They occur in all
age groups.
- Schizophrenia - one of the most common of the mental illnesses,
it is also found with relative frequency in the elderly population,
especially among the long-institutionalized. There are specific
drugs for schizophrenia that have helped immeasurably.
- Alcohol abuse - not often thought of as a problem among the
elderly, it is nevertheless surprisingly common. Loneliness, poverty,
and little access to help make this problem worse.
- Suicide rates - although extremely low they are higher for elderly
persons than for other age groups.
- Drug or medication abuse - usually unintentional it is frequently
detrimental. Almost any medical symptom can represent a side effect
of a drug or combination of drugs.
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