One of the ongoing problem with diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in seniors is the fact that older adults are more likely to report physical symptoms than psychiatric complaints (CDC). However, even the normal physical and emotional stresses that go along with aging can be risk factors for mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. TheGeriatric Mental Health Foundation lists a number of potential triggers for mental illness in the elderly:
Physical disability
Long-term illness (e.g., heart disease or cancer)
Dementia-causing illness (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease)
Physical illnesses that can affect thought, memory, and emotion (e.g. thyroid or adrenal disease)
Change of environment, like moving into assisted living
Illness or loss of a loved one
Medication interactions
Alcohol or substance abuse
Poor diet or malnutrition
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