Anxiety is one of the most common types of mental illness, and it impacts seniors just as readily as it impacts other populations.
There are several different types of anxiety. All of them are categorized by a sense of dread or overwhelming when it is inappropriate to feel that way. We all feel a little bit of anxiety here and there throughout the normal course of life. If you have a big presentation at work coming up, feeling a bit of anxiety is normal. It’s your body’s way of preparing for something important. But feeling overwhelmed by the thought of going to the store is something different. Feeling physical pain or discomfort because of anxiety is something different, too. Sometimes these things will pass on their own, but other times professional help is needed.
Anxiety is pretty common, but it can be something that’s tough to talk about. Unfortunately, mental illness is far more common than you might think. Estimates say that at least one out of every five people are currently experiencing a mental illness at any given moment. Odds are, you know someone close to you that is struggling with some sort of mental illness at this very moment. Maybe you are yourself. There’s been a stigma on mental health for a long time, but the tide is starting to turn here. And that’s a very good thing. It means that people will be much more likely to seek out help than they once were.
But our elderly loved ones happen to fall into the category of people that are the least likely to reach out for help here. Unfortunately, this is a population that has long viewed mental illness as this is how many seniors have long lived their lives. Old habits are hard to change, as the saying goes.
That doesn’t mean that help isn’t out there. Talking with a loved one about their mental health can be a good start. If they’re resistant to talking, at the very least you’ve planted the seeds for a future conversation. The more you talk about tough topics, the easier future conversations will become.
Just so you’re aware, mental health issues can manifest themselves differently in men and women. Women are far more likely to suffer from anxiety, while men are more likely to suffer from substance use disorders. This doesn’t mean that men are immune to anxiety–it just tends to look a little bit different.
Even though we’re not mental health professionals here at Paradise In-Home Care, we’re on your side. That might mean helping with transportation to and from appointments. Or it just might mean providing companionship. Research shows that just being around people that care can sometimes help to improve mental health. Isolation can often exacerbate or even create new mental health issues. Care isn’t a replacement for working with a mental health professional, but it can accomplish a lot of good in this realm.
If you’d like to talk more, please feel free to reach out. One of our caregivers would be happy to talk more with you about how in-home care might help your family to live a healthier, happier life. Give us a call today to learn more.
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