Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults Sarah Mordell, Registered - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults

Sarah Mordell, Registered Psychologist North Shore Stress and Anxiety Clinic

Overview

• Why a unique focus on older adults?
• Recognize symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Promote good mental health
• When to get help
• Know your treatment options
• Questions

Why a unique focus on older adults?

Diversity Stigma Health Isolation Life Phase

What is depression?

• Not “just the blues”
• Depression is a syndrome that includes:
• Mood
• Thoughts
• Physical symptoms
• The vicious cycle of depression

Signs of depression

• At least one (or both) of low mood or loss of interest
• Other signs/symptoms:

Mood or other symptoms (e.g., memory deficits) are not just an inevitable part of aging

• Fatigue
• Social withdrawal
• Sleep disturbance
• Poor concentration
• Neglect personal care

(e.g., skipping meals)

• Loss of self-worth (e.g.,

worries of burdening)

Depression vs. dementia

Depression

• Rapid decline
• Maintains awareness of date,

time, and location

• Difficulty concentrating
• Language, motor slow
• Awareness of memory problems

Dementia

• Decline happens slowly
• Confusion and disorientation
• Short-term memory problems
• Language, motor impaired
• Not aware of memory problems

Either way, talk to your doctor!

What is anxiety?

• Built-in survival mechanism for realistic dangers
• Anxiety performance curve

Signs of generalized anxiety disorder

Chronic worries Uncertainty intolerance Problems sleeping Uncontrollable anxiety Procrastination Avoidance Muscle tension Problems concentrating Restlessness

Strategies for good mental health

• Treat your mental health like physical health
• Take advantage of free resources
• give yourself a “check up”
• learn strategies to keep in (emotional) shape
• Practice, practice, practice!
• The nuns study (David Snowdon)
• Sister Mary

Mental Fitness: Behavioural Activation

• Rationale: Behaviour influences mood; prescribe fun
• Activity scheduling – don’t just wait until you feel like it!
• Include mastery & pleasurable activities
• The upward spiral

Mental Fitness: Goal Setting

• Rationale: When feeling low, goal setting can help with motivation
• Make goals

Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-bound

Mental Fitness: Mindfulness

• Rationale: Attention is like a muscle; present-focus is key
• Exercises of mundane task focus, meditation, body scan, etc.
• Can help with pain and mood states

When to get help

• Symptoms are:
• intense
• enduring (more often than not, time periods)
• interfering with day to day life
• Thoughts of suicide and self-harm

Treatment options - Medication

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Low effort
• Quicker results

Cons

• May conflict with other

medications

• Possible relapse if medications

are stopped

• Side effects

Speak to G.P. or Psychiatrist

Treatment options – Community MH

Pros

• Free
• Benefits can last beyond

treatment

Cons

• Often lengthy waitlists
• Restrictive criteria
• May lack choice
• Takes time & effort
• May limit sessions

Speak to G.P. or other community MH staff

Treatment options – Private

Pros

• Choice
• Convenience
• Availability
• Often lasting benefits
• Psychologists are regulated

Cons

• Expense (check extended health)
• Takes time & effort (12-20

sessions) G.P. can refer or self-refer to clinic or individual provider

Key points to take away

• Low mood and/or excessive worry are not an inevitable part of aging!
• Speak to your doctor sooner rather than later if you experience

symptoms

• Don’t wait until there’s a problem to start your mental fitness routine
• You are a mental health consumer – find a solution/provider that

works for you

Free online resources

• AnxietyBC
• www.anxietybc.com
• Mindshift application
• Centre for Clinical Interventions
• www.cci.health.wa.gov.au
• Workbooks for generalized and social anxiety, depression, etc.
• Sites to help find private psychologists or counsellors
• www.psychologists.bc.ca
• www.counsellingbc.ca

Free online resources (continued)

• BC Partners for Mental Health & Addictions Information
• Workbooks
• www.heretohelp.bc.ca
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Bounce Back program with free videos and telephone coaching
• www.cmha.bc.ca/how-we-can-help/adults/bounceback
• Living Life to the Full program with application and sessions
• http://www.livinglifetothefull.ca/

Questions?