Older people don’t need to suffer depression or anxiety in silence | Ann Robinson

Mental health problems are so often spoken about in relation to the young. But help is out there for older people too

Nearly half of all adults surveyed for AgeUK say they have experienced depression or anxiety, but many feel they have to keep a stiff upper lip and soldier on rather than seek help. There has been some great work in raising awareness and tackling the stigma of mental health problems, spearheaded by the glamorous young royals, but it tends to be aimed at young people, with little or no emphasis on elderly people. For them it’s a triple whammy: they are less likely to seek help, GPs may not recognise the signs, and society may expect depression to be a natural consequence of ageing, loss and loneliness.

NHS England is encouraging GPs to look out for mental health problems in older patients, and offer interventions – talking therapies or medication – as appropriate. But is it true that depression is an inevitable part of ageing? Is the older generation more stoical? Are the young more flaky? And how can you tell if you have depression yourself, or if an older friend or relative is suffering unnecessarily?

Research has found older people respond extremely well to talking therapies

Related: 'Childline for older people' gives friendly ear to 10,000 lonely callers each week

Continue reading... October 09, 2017 at 01:30PM