A Look At Mental Illness

A mental illness is an issue that affects one’s behaviour, emotions, thoughts and ability to interact with others (Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing 2007). Common mental illnesses in Australia include anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders and personality disorders, with the most prevalent being anxiety disorders and depression. Anyone can develop a mental illness, although suffering from a chronic medical illness, experiencing a highly stressful or traumatic event, having a blood relation with a mental disorder or drug and alcohol use can increase one’s risk (Mayo Clinic 2015).

Darby, S. Marr, J. Crump, A Scurfield, M (1999) Older People, Nursing & Mental Health. Oxford: Buterworth-Heinemann.

Even though everyone at pivotal times in tier life often feel pressured and overwhelmed. And, occasional. However, prolonged and untreated depression and other emotional matter can evolve into full blown mental health concerns. Experts say, mental illness problems are not just produced in older adults, certain ethnicity, cultural background or age. But, mental illness disorders add the American Psychiatric Association, (2012) doesn’t not discriminates it spans thorough all population, disrupting the everyday function of life.

Many nursing home residents, including the elderly residents at Hoosier Christian Village, struggle daily with symptoms of situational depression, anxiety, and various mental illnesses brought on by inactivity, decline in physical and mental competence, and the unavoidable confrontation with death. In addition, many residents are admitted to the residence because of previous mental illnesses; therefore, future development or recurrence of these diseases is nearly inevitable.

According to Perry, Presley-Cantrell, and Dhingra (2010) “Mental illness is term health conditions that are characterized by alteration in thinking, mood, or behavior or perhaps a combination that is associated with distress and/or impaired functioning” (p. 2333). Mental health has become an increase concern in the vulnerable elderly population across the nation. Two of the major mental diseases that are prevalence in the elderly population are Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Alzheimer and Dementia are both diseases that affect the elderly population across the nation by declining loss of intellectual functioning. Not much is known about these disease processes but what is known is both these diseases are similar in signs and symptoms (Fisher Center For Alzheimer‘s Research Foundation, 2011). To explore and understand more about Alzheimer and Dementia disease process, it is important to understand what epidemiology is. Then this paper will show how the steps and methods the epidemiology uses to help determine the cause and effect of a disease. The paper continues to review how the epidemiological triangle is used. It is important to tie it altogether by explaining how epidemiology is used to help explore and understanding in how the disease process develops, any identifying causes and how to either slow the effects or prevent the disease process of

This capstone proposal explores the psychological effects of caregivers who provide ongoing care for person with Alzheimer’s disease. For the purpose of this study, the focus is on persons who have provided care for a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease for a minimum of five years. This chapter offers general background on this topic, the theoretical framework of this study, social work relevance, and it gives an introduction to the details of the proposed capstone.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “older adults are at an increased risk of depression, because depression is more common in people who have other illnesses, and 80% of older adults have a chronic condition” (CDC, 2017). The CDC also mentions that older adults are often misdiagnosed or undertreated, because the symptoms may be thought to be the cause of something else, or the patient doesn’t understand that treatment would be beneficial and do not seek help.

An aspect of aging that I have often grappled with is the increased incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease that we have seen in the last 20 years. I remember vividly, as a psychiatric nurse that started my mental health in an inpatient geriatric facility, we often had patients that were admitted in our facility that either suffered from bipolar, schizophrenia and lastly older people that were depressed either due to loss of a spouse and were grieving.

Provided that, when an older adult’s mental health is healthy, their overall well-being is balanced; physically, mentally, and socially. In essence, their happiness is more apparent than their oppression. It is not that these groups of people do not have feel the discomfort, heartache and stress that comes with life (Mental Health America, 2017). It is because these people either know, or have learned how to deal with day-to-day anguish, ambiguities and turmoil. They are survivors, and they have the ability to see and live through their obstacles differently than others who do not, not become deeply affected by them.

There is an increased risk of developing dementia with age. Early detection of any cognitive changes can be beneficial to be proactive set up cognitive screening and testing also future planning. Elderly patients may become depressed or have noticeable mood changes; it is important to watch for signs and evaluate the patient for depression.

like cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, diabetes, cancer and dementia (Ferri CP et al., 2005). It is known that many of these illnesses often occur among older people, who mostly experience multiple health problems and disabilities. Symptoms such as low mood, pain, constipation, anorexia, mental confusion, insomnia

The present set up does not do enough to take care of the mental health needs of elderly patients who have faced abuse. Government statistics show that as many as one in ten elders will face

Each stage of life can bring with it different needs for a mental health clinic. The geriatric stage of life brings with it many different issues that can arise. Even someone who seemingly has no issues can suffer from bouts of depression. Aging can bring with it limitations, and things that were once easy to do can suddenly become more difficult, this alone can result in sadness, or depression.

It is however, particularly important to note in the case of mental illnesses, that the development of an illness or condition should not be seen as a natural or normal part of aging. The dismissal of symptoms of mental illness as a natural part of aging, - such as moodiness, unexplained aches and

Mental illness is a social construction, only after having been classified as ill in the sense that a person is mentally ill (Scheff 1970). Therefore eating healthy, excises etc are relevant to long life, body healthy and productivity etc. However old people at this stage most of them have dementia and are lonely due to diminished cognition. Old people when they lose memory they may withdraw from others due to embarrassment or confusion resulting from their brain impairment on how they handle social situations (Szalavitz and Szalavitz, 2014). However Johada (1963) contrasts World Health Organisation by saying that mental health cannot be defined