What Is Mental Health Stigma and Why It Matters for Seniors?
.jpg)
According to USAFacts, nearly 60 million adults in the United States suffered from mental illness in 2023. That is nearly one in six people -- a staggering number.
Though tens of millions of people deal with the symptoms and ramifications of mental illness every day, there is still stigma surrounding mental health, especially for seniors.
What is mental health stigma? What common mental health issues do seniors face? How can older adults maintain their emotional health and well-being to thrive in their golden years?
Continue reading to discover more.
What Is Mental Health Stigma?
Mental health stigma, or behavioral health stigma, is a set of assumptions and prejudices involving those suffering from mental illnesses. There are three main types of stigma:
- Public Stigma: Widely-held beliefs of the general public regarding those with mental illnesses, usually associated with negative stereotypes and media depictions.
- Self-Stigma: When those suffering from stigma internalize the public or institutional stigma and associate it with their perceptions of weakness or self-loathing.
- Institutional Stigma: Barriers created by institutions, such as the government, that prevent individuals from receiving the help and resources they need due to existing stereotypes.
Mental Health Issues in Older Adults
Although there aren't any mental illnesses unique to seniors,the way seniors develop and handle mental disorders may differ from other demographics. Here are some of the most common mental health issues that seniors experience.
Dementia
Dementia is especially prevalent amongst seniors, and more and more people receive diagnoses every year. The main types of dementia include the following:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Lewy body dementia
- Vascular dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mixed dementia
- Early-onset dementia
Although different types of dementia have varying symptoms and timelines, the result is the same: loss of memory and function, leading to eventual death.
Dementia and mood disorders often go hand in hand; one of the primary symptoms of dementia that is often overlooked is increased aggression and hostile emotions.
As more people receive dementia diagnoses, there has also been a corresponding rise in memory care communities, which are specially designed living spaces geared toward those suffering from dementia.
At The Palms at Bonaventure, we offer an interactive memory care program that involves recreating recipes from the past and therapeutic methods, such as music therapy, to help our residents.
Anxiety
Anxiety is primarily characterized by excessive worry, often paired with irrational thoughts. Sometimes, anxiety can manifest into panic attacks, which are short periods of intense anxiety that may feel like a heart attack.
Anxiety in seniors may occur due to various factors, such as major life changes or worrying about a spouse or partner. Anxiety commonly exists with adjustment disorder, a mental health condition that develops as a result of not being able to process big life changes.
Anxiety can be treated holistically, medicinally, or both.Common treatment methods involve breathing techniques and deactivating the fight-or-flight system. Sometimes, these are paired with an antidepressant or antianxiety medication to maximize the benefit.
Depression
Depression is also common amongst seniors. Many older folks lose a sense of purpose once they retire or their children have moved away from home. The lack of structure and belonging can trigger depressive episodes.
If you suspect you have depression, consider the following symptoms:
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Eating too much or too little
- Lack of interest in past hobbies
- Fatigue and malaise
Since depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, medication is a common solution. Antidepressants can balance out your serotonin levels, allowing your emotions to level off and not pull you down into despair.
Mental Wellness in Aging
It should not be a chore to maintain your mental health as you grow older. Assisted living and support from family and friends can allow you to work on your mental well-being while still engaging in an active lifestyle.
Try Meditation
Meditation is a great way to regulate your breathing and learn to sit with uncomfortable emotions. You can meditate in silence or use a guided meditation tool. Guided sessions are ideal for beginners to keep their thoughts focused.
There are many different apps and streaming channels that offer meditation practices. Sessions can focus on specific topics like grief or stress relief.
If you benefit from meditating, the key is consistency. Find a time of day that works best for you, whether it's starting your day with a session to energize you or winding down with a meditation at night before going to bed.
Work With a Therapist
A therapist can help you identify negative thought patterns and triggers, rewiring your thought processes so you do not experience major symptoms of anxiety or depression. In conjunction with medication, therapy can help you develop healthy coping skills to manage major emotions.
Depending on why you seek therapy, your mental health professional may provide a different treatment style. For instance, if you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, you may benefit more from eye movement desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) rather than cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
You can meet with a therapist individually or as part of a group. Individual therapy tends to be more costly, but it provides dedicated time with your therapist.
Group therapy is more affordable, and while you may not have as much one-on-one time with the therapist, you can benefit from listening to the experiences of others in similar circumstances.
Managing Emotional Health in Seniors
This article answers the question, "What is mental health stigma?" With this guide, you can move forward with compassion as you navigate your mental health journey.
At The Palms at Bonaventure, we put the mental and emotional health of our residents first. Our caring and dedicated staff can assist residents with all types of tasks and issues, so they do not have to carry the burden. With exclusive programs and personalized care plans, we aim to help our residents thrive.
Are you ready to make the transition to assisted living or memory care? Schedule a tour to visit us in person and see our beautiful, pet-friendly senior living community for yourself.