Looking after your mental health

Mental health is an important factor in living a happy and healthy life. And especially for older Australians, your mental health can be critical to your overall health and wellbeing, which enables you to live at home for as long as possible.

One in five Australians experience a mental health condition in their lives.

A large number of older people regularly experience feelings of anxiety or depression. And one in twenty people over the age of 65 will have a diagnosed depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder.

Professor of Psychology and Director of the Centre for Ageing, Cognition and Wellbeing at Macquarie University, explains that feelings of depression and anxiety occur often to people in residential aged care or to older people with chronic health conditions.

“Anxiety and depression can pop up for the first time in later life or it can be something someone has experienced on and off through their lifespan,” she says.

Seek help

The good news is though that it’s never too late to seek help and according to Professor Wuthrich, seniors generally respond well to treatment.

“Once older people are told they have depression, then they are actually really willing [to get treatment]. Research has shown that they are really good candidates for psychological treatment.

“They are much more reliable, they do their homework more consistently, and they actually get better treatment outcomes because once they understand, they are really dedicated.”

Some common reasons for symptoms of depression and anxiety in older people include:

◆ Health, where health issues start to play a part or you end up hospitalised

◆ Losses, whether that means retirement, family moving away, the death of loved ones, or the loss of physical abilities, like not being able to play golf or not being able to see well enough to drive

◆ General life stresses, such as financial problems, marital conflict, and more

Be honest with yourself if you are suddenly experiencing depression or anxiety from difficult events in your life.

Depression or anxiety in seniors can be hard to diagnose. Research has shown that a lot of GPs, clinicians and even psychologists believe that depression and anxiety are just expected for older people to experience, so they won’t encourage the person to seek treatment.

Not normal

Professor Wuthrich says, “The thing that is really interesting about anxiety and depression in older people is that if it is not treated, it actually has really serious consequences.

“We know you are more likely to die early, you are more likely to have worse physical health, you are more likely to develop dementia. Of course, you are also at risk of suicide or self-harm, the same as other populations.

“There are lots of reasons why we should be trying to actually treat this, while usually we kind of ignore it and dismiss it, like ‘It’s normal when you are old to get grumpy and

down because your body is failing and your friends have died.’ It is actually not normal.”

How to get help?

Mental health issues can be hard to detect in older people and you may not even recognise that you have mental health issues. It’s important to seek advice from your General Practitioner (GP) or local doctor if you begin not feeling yourself.

They can help you to seek treatment from a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor to discuss how you are feeling.

Additionally, you can contact helplines, support groups and other health professionals who are able to listen to you and assist with your mental health.

You will need a referral from a doctor if you want to claim mental health appointments on Medicare. Otherwise, you will have to pay for mental health appointments yourself.

Your doctor will create a mental health treatment plan including the issues you are experiencing, potential treatment options, and support services. They will also provide a letter of referral to your mental health expert of choice. This referral will allow for six appointments with a mental health professional that is subsidised by the Government. You will need to be reassessed by your doctor after your sixth appointment to receive a further four Government-subsidised appointments. You don’t have to receive a referral from a doctor, but you will have to pay the full price.

The number of older people who experience feelings of anxiety and depression is really high.

Getting on track

All mental health specialists can assist you in being happy and enjoying life. Different mental health specialists are able to provide assistance in different ways. ◆ Psychologists can treat mental health problems by helping you understand how you are feeling, resolving any issues you may have, implement different treatment strategies and make changes to your day to day that can improve your quality of life. You don’t have to get a referral to see a physiologist, however, it will cost more, and they cannot prescribe medication. ◆ Psychiatrists can treat and diagnose mental health conditions with the use of medication, treatment plans and therapies. They will work alongside you, your family, and other specialists to make sure you understand and can manage your symptoms. Most psychiatrists do need a referral and there can be a long waiting list for appointments. ◆ Mental health nurses are available in the community and can provide education, counselling, offer advice and support, assist with medication, and link you with other services and professionals that can help. ◆ Social workers are able to assist you in improving your mental wellbeing by making recommendations and promoting positive change. ◆ Counsellors are able to discuss your feelings, possible solutions and causes of any stress, anxiety or depression, and then formulate a plan of action to manage your mental health. All of these professionals can have a positive impact on you and assist you in getting on track with your mental health.

Boost your mental health

There are some basic daily things you can do to boost your mental health and combat any negative side effects.

For instance, socialising can play a positive role in keeping your mind happy and healthy. Whether it’s catching up with a friend for a regular cup of coffee or attending group social events with other older people in the community, there are a lot of different ways you can be social.

There are also support groups available to assist you with any mental health conditions you may have. These groups can be targeted towards specific areas, like grief, boredom, loneliness or isolation. Additionally, it means you are getting out, meeting new people, and increasing your confidence. Depending on the support group, you may meet in person, online or over the phone.

Staying active is another key component to developing optimal mental health. Try to engage in exercise where possible, like light walking, pilates, yoga or agemodified exercise and sports.

Engaging with hobbies and activities you enjoy is a great way to boost your mental health and your mind. Try to keep your mind active through playing board or card games, crosswords, and sudoku, reading books, magazines or newspapers.