Losing a longtime partner or a dear friend. Continuing medical problems, from arthritis to cancer, rob us of our physical strength and peace of mind. Separation. There is no support system in place. A family drama. All of this is even more strongly correlated with the level of mental health of older people.
Therapists say these and other factors can cause middle-aged adults to come to waiting rooms with a variety of afflictions, but two are the main ones.
“From a psychological standpoint, it’s definitely depression and anxiety,” says Kelly Morgan, a licensed clinical social worker and co-owner. Libya Counseling and Care Management In Atlanta.
She said this many times about her clients. And when you reach this stage in life, the way you manage it no longer works. ”
Healthcare professionals say not only are more older adults seeking a variety of treatments to address these issues, especially as the past stigma surrounding mental health care gradually fades, but also (at least ) said more people are looking for solution-based tips and approaches to staying healthy. Despite facing grief, loss, isolation, loss of self-esteem, and unfortunately even abuse, I maintained a flat keel.
Chris Dorsey, a licensed clinical social worker in Atlanta who specializes in geriatric psychotherapy, said there are special processes aimed at combating feelings of sadness, helplessness and end-of-life fear.
“You have to create a room where you feel authentic, non-judgmental and safe,” he said. It’s also important to meet patients where they are, check in with them and connect them with resources.
Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
By helping children manage their daily emotions and find hope, he crystallized an action plan, which he called “a purposeful plan that they can put into action when they get home.” .
Therapists, life coaches and medical professionals say these plans come in many forms, and there’s no one-size-fits-all plan.
The broad areas that can be categorized are grouped under the general heading of “positive social interactions,” says founder Dr. Rachel Feit. evolve behaviorfocuses on health psychology.
“Being around people and socializing is not only important for our longevity, but is also closely related to our mental health,” she argued.
“That doesn’t mean joining every card club there is,” she said, but volunteering at a social services agency or spending time with her grandchildren, even if she’s in a nursing home. It is important to learn and participate in activities. Calling a few friends every day will all help.
“Keep looking for opportunities that bring you joy,” she says.
Dorsey’s proposal is along similar lines.
“Telephone calls, senior centers, church organizations, online communities” can all help maintain or reduce depression and anxiety, he noted.
Dana Oneto, a life coach and yoga teacher, said she has been able to keep her clients engaged simply by continuing to work or returning to work. And naturally, she believes deeply in the power of her regular exercise.
“There was a 90-year-old man who came to my yoga class and had been skiing all winter,” she said.
Exercise comes in many forms, but the science behind it vividly shows its mental health-regulating benefits, therapists and aging experts say.
Credit: New York Times
Credit: New York Times
“Exercise and exercise provide endorphins, which act as natural antidepressants in the brain,” Feit says. “There is evidence that 30 minutes of physical activity four or five times a week produces levels of serotonin in the brain that are similar to the effects of antidepressants.”
Oneto touted the stress-relieving and other benefits of doing yoga regularly, saying that regular meditation “helps clear your mind and lift your mood.”
Dorsey cited walking, yoga, stretching, biking, and the treadmill as things that help regulate mood and mental health.
Consistency is another key, he says, stressing good “sleep hygiene” such as going to bed and waking up at the same time every day and taking medications on a consistent daily schedule.
Therapists said planning a trip or project can provide a “positive focus” and a sense of accomplishment when the project is completed.
Another piece of the depression and anxiety puzzle has to do with sexuality, and addressing it can benefit mental health, said Courtney Geter, a certified marriage and family therapist at Atlanta Therapeutic Group. Thing.
“For older adults, it’s about changes in sexual function, loss of a partner, or a partner who is no longer consistent,” she said.
As a result, “my job is to educate people about sexuality,” she says, noting that the relationship between sexuality and happiness is well-established and in addition to the iconic psychological blueprint, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. He added that it has been done.
Mental health experts have criticized what Feit calls “the idea that only incredibly insane people seek mental health care,” and the counselors and specialists who are part of the Medicare network. They lament that barriers to effective treatment and outcomes for older adults remain, including difficulty in finding them. and Medicaid Advantage.
These considerations aside, mental health experts advised people looking to improve their mental health to keep trying new activities and approaches. If one approach doesn’t work, they said, try another.
