Older adults are often portrayed as being grumpy or irritable. While this may be the image in television and movies, there is some research to show that happiness is a concern in the aging population. Even those who report high satisfaction levels say that they aren’t as happy as when they were younger. People often use the language, “slowing down” with age, though could it be more than simply slowing down and enjoying life? Could this actually be sadness and feelings of hopelessness, even helplessness, indicating a decline in emotional wellness?

Any age group, they can enjoy robust emotional health. Those who have genetic predispositions, trauma history and isolate themselves, however, run a higher risk for conditions like anxiety and depression. Symptoms such as excessive sadness, hopelessness, fears, social isolation, etc. should not be ignored.

As you likely know, physical health is strongly related to emotional health and everything linked to it, including social connections, beliefs, attitudes and outlook, etc. Physical ailments, diminished social activities and interactions, lost or reduced income, and an increased dependency on others can impact emotional health.

How’s your Emotional Health?

A significant number of older adults experiencing intrusive symptoms are not diagnosed promptly, and therefore, do not receive prompt treatment. According to the CDC and National Institute of Mental Health, about “20 percent of older adults aged 55 or older have experienced some type of behavioral or emotional health concern, but nearly one in three of those seniors do not receive treatment.”

A reason for this is that symptoms are often reported as a physical complaint rather than an emotional one. Most would see their primary care physicians because of physical or medical issues, but only a few would see a behavioral health professional to have their symptoms properly assessed and treated. This is an ongoing challenge for older adults with behavioral health concerns.

A Place for Mom offers ten warning signs that may indicate a behavioral health concern:

1. Sad or depressed mood lasting longer than two weeks
2. Social withdrawal, loss of interest in things that used to be enjoyable
3. Unexplained fatigue, energy loss, or sleep changes
4. Confusion, disorientation, problems with concentration or decision-making
5. Increase or decrease in appetite, changes in weight
6. Memory loss, especially recent or short-term memory problems
7. Feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, helplessness; thoughts of suicide
8. Physical problems that can’t otherwise be explained: aches, constipation, etc.
9. Changes in appearance or dress, or problems maintaining the home or yard
10. Trouble handling finances or working with numbers

Why Are You at Risk?

Though emotional conditions can affect a person regardless of age, seniors are particularly susceptible. In fact, “Over 20% of adults aged 60 and over have an emotional or neurological disorder and 6.6% of all disability among people over 60 years is attributed to emotional and neurological disorders,” reports the World Health Organization. According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation, the increased risk can be attributed to certain triggers or factors that can affect aging and emotional wellness. Aside from the usual concerns that may affect anyone, older adults have multiple risk factors and challenges common late in life.

For instance, a physical disability can be a challenge even among younger people but having reduced mobility and decreased functionality could be more complicated for seniors. They are also more likely to develop dementia-causing illnesses and other conditions that can affect feelings, thoughts and memory, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Surveys show that neurological and emotional conditions among seniors account for approximately 6.6% of the total disabilities for this demographic. Older adults also have greater tendencies to develop long-term or chronic medical conditions that are life-threatening or can potentially lower their quality of life.

Emotional health and well-being are as vital in later life as in any other time of your life. Because physical and emotional health are linked, you could be at a higher risk for conditions, such as anxiety and depression, if you have chronic medical issues and declining health.

The Mind-Body Connection

According to Web MD, “Emotional vitality is closely tied to physical vitality-just as your mind has powerful effects on your body, so does your physical state affect how you feel and think.” In essence, your body will respond to your feelings and thoughts, and vice versa. This means that if you are anxious, sad, upset or experiencing intense emotions, you may feel physically unwell. If you are struggling with a medical condition, there is also a strong likelihood that you can develop depression and/or anxiety as well.

Your emotional health is also closely linked to the other important aspects of your life, including your personality and social connections. Cultivating a positive attitude, feeling satisfied, having a sense of purpose, maintaining a healthy level of self-esteem, and regularly interacting and connecting with others, could be more challenging than ever later in life.

What is the significance of the body-emotion connection? As you age it is important to take care of your emotional health. Just as you see your doctor with each symptom that may indicate a physical ailment, you could benefit from seeing a therapist when you are feeling anxious, sad, or if you are experiencing significant mood changes. Additional symptoms to look out for include insomnia or changes in sleeping patterns, loss of appetite or overeating, increased irritability, social withdrawal, memory problems and poor focus, avoidance of activities that you were once passionate about, and/or emotional overwhelm to name a few.

Improving Your Emotional Health

The quality of your life can improve when you are emotionally well. If you are emotionally healthy you will likely experience a greater sense of peace, project a positive attitude, have a stronger sense of value and purpose, be more satisfied with your life, and happier with your social interactions or connections. If you are aging in a healthy manner, it will show in the way you live your life and interact with others. You may look forward to the prospects of interacting with people and meeting new challenges, without becoming overwhelmed. You might pursue old and new interests. You could even welcome the opportunities to travel, be on your own, ask help and feel less lonely.

If you are experiencing growing health concerns or a chronic medical illness, continue seeing your primary care doctor to ensure that your physical health is well taken care of. Remember, a complicated medical issue can impact your emotional health. If you think or feel that you aren’t satisfied with your life, or you are showing signs that your emotional health is declining, do something about it. Seek help from a counselor independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC. Don’t wait, your emotional health is as important as your physical health, both are intertwined. Therapy can help improve aging and emotional wellness. Call today!

Related Articles:

• Basking in Calmness – Enjoying Your Senior Years Without Anxiety
• Celebrating May as Older Americans Month
• Harnessing the Golden Years of Mood Swings
• Getting Therapy to Improve Your Physical Health and Life
• Improving Aging and Emotional Wellness
• Your Child’s Anger: Can It Be a Symptom of a Deeper Emotional Concern?
• Taking Care of Your Emotional Health When You Have Infertility Issues
• Freeing Yourself from the Clutches of Emotional Overwhelm
• Dual Diagnosis: When Emotional Conditions Co-Occur with Substance Abuse
• Discovering Life Outside Emotional Crisis
• Alleviating Your Emotional Hurt with Therapy