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| Older people don’t need to suffer depression or anxiety in silence | Older people don’t need to suffer depression or anxiety in silence |
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| Mon 9 Oct 2017 09.00 BST | |
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| 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. | 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? | 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 | Research has found older people respond extremely well to talking therapies |
| It is true that older people may have to put up with bereavement, pain, financial concerns, loneliness and ill health – and all of those can trigger depression and anxiety if you’re susceptible. But it’s not inevitable; people in the UK report being at their happiest between the ages of 65-79 (though happiness levels plummet after the age of 90). In the AgeUK survey, 21% of the people who reported suffering from anxiety or depression said their symptoms had worsened with time – but that left nearly 80% who didn’t feel their mental health had worsened. | It is true that older people may have to put up with bereavement, pain, financial concerns, loneliness and ill health – and all of those can trigger depression and anxiety if you’re susceptible. But it’s not inevitable; people in the UK report being at their happiest between the ages of 65-79 (though happiness levels plummet after the age of 90). In the AgeUK survey, 21% of the people who reported suffering from anxiety or depression said their symptoms had worsened with time – but that left nearly 80% who didn’t feel their mental health had worsened. |
| Looking at suicide rates – arguably the most extreme expression of unbearable mental distress – the group at greatest risk are men aged 40 to 44. People are less likely to take their own life in their 60s than in their 30s but, of course, every suicide can be seen as a potentially preventable tragedy and there is no room for complacency at any age. The need to identify those individuals at any age who are most at risk and in need of expert intervention, is a priority for all healthcare professionals. | Looking at suicide rates – arguably the most extreme expression of unbearable mental distress – the group at greatest risk are men aged 40 to 44. People are less likely to take their own life in their 60s than in their 30s but, of course, every suicide can be seen as a potentially preventable tragedy and there is no room for complacency at any age. The need to identify those individuals at any age who are most at risk and in need of expert intervention, is a priority for all healthcare professionals. |
| Mental health problems can be tricky – it is hard to know if a relative or elderly friend is sinking gradually into severe depression, or becoming paralysed by debilitating anxiety. It’s even hard to know yourself: when does feeling fed up, sad and a bit socially isolated tip into depression? When does fretting about grandkids, money and the state of the world become unmanageable anxiety? And even with all the training, time and sensitivity in the world, any GP can miss the signs if a person is determined to present a positive front. | Mental health problems can be tricky – it is hard to know if a relative or elderly friend is sinking gradually into severe depression, or becoming paralysed by debilitating anxiety. It’s even hard to know yourself: when does feeling fed up, sad and a bit socially isolated tip into depression? When does fretting about grandkids, money and the state of the world become unmanageable anxiety? And even with all the training, time and sensitivity in the world, any GP can miss the signs if a person is determined to present a positive front. |
| The mood self-assessment quiz on the NHS Choices website is a good starting point. GPs also use a range of screening tools, but the simplest version consists of just two questions: over the past two weeks, have you felt little interest or pleasure in doing things? And: have you felt down, depressed or hopeless? You don’t need to be a doctor to ask yourself, a friend or an elderly relative these questions, and see a GP if the answers are a resounding “yes”. | The mood self-assessment quiz on the NHS Choices website is a good starting point. GPs also use a range of screening tools, but the simplest version consists of just two questions: over the past two weeks, have you felt little interest or pleasure in doing things? And: have you felt down, depressed or hopeless? You don’t need to be a doctor to ask yourself, a friend or an elderly relative these questions, and see a GP if the answers are a resounding “yes”. |
| The NHS primer for GPs says an interesting thing; how a patient makes the GP feel is often a good reflection of how that person is feeling. “A person who consistently annoys you could well be depressed or have a personality disorder, and a person who perplexes you might be psychotic.” Specific questions can help, such as: “Do you enjoy seeing your grandchildren?” | The NHS primer for GPs says an interesting thing; how a patient makes the GP feel is often a good reflection of how that person is feeling. “A person who consistently annoys you could well be depressed or have a personality disorder, and a person who perplexes you might be psychotic.” Specific questions can help, such as: “Do you enjoy seeing your grandchildren?” |
| And it’s such a shame to miss the signs of poor mental wellbeing because there is help out there. Research has found older people respond extremely well to talking therapies, and medication may be safe and effective. Nearly three-quarters of the people in the AgeUK survey felt that having more opportunities to connect with other people, such as joining local activity groups, would be positive. | And it’s such a shame to miss the signs of poor mental wellbeing because there is help out there. Research has found older people respond extremely well to talking therapies, and medication may be safe and effective. Nearly three-quarters of the people in the AgeUK survey felt that having more opportunities to connect with other people, such as joining local activity groups, would be positive. |
| The message is clear: depression and anxiety are not an inevitable part of ageing. Older people don’t need to suffer in silence. There’s help out there. We all have a role to play in making sure that anyone who needs it, speaks up. Stoicism and resilience are fine qualities, but you get no prizes for mental anguish that could, potentially, be assuaged. | The message is clear: depression and anxiety are not an inevitable part of ageing. Older people don’t need to suffer in silence. There’s help out there. We all have a role to play in making sure that anyone who needs it, speaks up. Stoicism and resilience are fine qualities, but you get no prizes for mental anguish that could, potentially, be assuaged. |
| • Ann Robinson has been a GP for 16 years | • Ann Robinson has been a GP for 16 years |
| In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org | In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org |
| Older people | |
| Opinion | |
| Depression | |
| Anxiety | |
| NHS | |
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