Lesson 2 Mental Health
Lesson 2a: Depression
Depression is a worldwide disease that affects more than 5% of adults over 60 years of age.
Symptoms appear almost every day for at least 2 weeks and include:
- the feeling of sadness;
- irritability;
- the loss of pleasure or interest in activities;
- poor concentration;
- feelings of guilt or low self-esteem;
- desperation for the future;
- thoughts about death or suicide;
- disturbed sleep;
- changes in appetite or weight and
- feeling tired or low energy.
Depending on the symptoms and their severity, as well as the impact they have on a person, a depressive episode can be categorized as mild, moderate or severe.
- People who have gone through difficulties at some point in their lives (such as unemployment, mourning, traumatic events).
- Cardiovascular disease can lead to depression and vice versa..
- Prevention programs in the community reduce depression.
- Exercise programs for the elderly can also be effective in preventing depression.
- Behavioral therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy and
- Interpersonal psychotherapy
- Antidepressants
You can find more information in Module 5!
Lesson 2b: Dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a syndrome that progressively leads to a decline in cognitive function. It’s an overall term that describes a group of symptoms.
It develops differently in each individual depending on the already underlying diseases as well as the existing cognitive function of the individual.
- Age
- Depression
- Social isolation
- Low educational level
- Cognitive inactivity and
- Air pollution
There is also dementia at a young age (with symptoms before the age of 65) up to 9% of cases.
- Physical activity
- Abstinence from smoking
- Abstinence from excessive alcohol consumption
- Balanced diet
- Constant body weight
- Proper blood pressure
- Proper cholesterol and
- Proper blood sugar levels (avoiding diabetes)
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life.
- There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Research is being done on treatments.
- Care / Empowerment (for both the elderly and carers) such as: early diagnosis for better management, optimization of physical health, knowledge, treatment of underlying diseases, provision of information to carers.
Source: www.verywellhealth.com
- Dementia does affect mental health but it is not a mental illness.
- Rather, it’s a disorder of the brain that can cause memory loss and communication difficulties.
- People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease may display similar traits to those with mental illness.
- However, Alzheimer’s disease is more accurately defined as a brain disease, specifically, a progressive neurodegenerative condition