Just as physical illnesses often present differently in older adults than in the younger population, so too do anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are believed to affect up to 5 of seniors, however this may be an underestimate as anxiety disorders in the elderly are often under-diagnosed. "Older adults tend to be less obviously sad or display psychological distress. Rather, they may complain about fatigue, pain or sleep problems. Older adults are at risk of anxiety disorders due to factors that may crop up later in life, such as chronic illness, disability, bereavement, or caregiver stress." To learn more about anxiety disorders later in life check out this great article by Evelyn Gan.
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![]() A new psychotropic drug reclassification system has been proposed in hopes that it will reduce confusion over contradictory-sounding terminology. The new system aims to reclassify psychotropic drugs from symptom-based to pharmacology-based. The new reclassification system is a worldwide effort, developed by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology in collaboration with the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, and the Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Drug classifications can significantly influence patients' views and treatment adherence. The new system is designed to reduce confusion among patients when they are prescribed a drug for a seemingly unrelated condition. It will also make prescribing clearer for clinicians. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/834238?src=rss#vp_2 Does meditating help improve levels of psychological stress and mental wellbeing? Goyal et al's recent review and metanalysis of the existing literature points to the intriguing possibilities - and limitations - of meditation and its role in stress and mood management. A preview of their conclusions: "... meditation programs can result in small to moderate reductions of multiple negative dimensions of psychological stress." Here's neuroscientist Sara Lazar explaining some of the effects meditation can have on the mind and its ability to handle stress. "Towards a more nuanced #GlobalMentalHealth" by White and Sashidaran offers a critique on the #WHO published documents on the Mental Health Gap, and caution against relying too heavily on a Western biomedical model for mental health care in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC).
Here's a sneak peak from the article: "Whilst we acknowledge the pressing need to support the mental health needs of people across the globe, this should not happen at the risk of causing harm. Research conducted by the WHO has indicated that outcomes for serious mental disorders are not superior in high-income countries (HIC) relative to LMIC (where populations may not have access to medication-based treatments). An examination of the academic discourse that followed the dissemination of the findings concluded that strenuous efforts were made to ‘preserve an image of Western superiority and Third World inferiority’. If the psychiatric services that are generally offered in HIC are failing to deliver, then great caution should be exercised in using these as a benchmark for scaling-up similar services in LMIC. It has been suggested that better outcomes for complex mental health difficulties in LMIC may be a consequence of the multiplicity of treatment/healing options available in LMIC compared to HIC" Please give the whole article a read through. There is some great content in there. https://www.academia.edu/6970293/White_R.G._and_Sashidharan_S.P._2014_._Towards_a_more_nuanced_Global_Mental_Health._British_Journal_of_Psychiatry_204_415-417 ![]() The suicide rate in adults over the age of 65 is above the national average with white males over the age of 85 having the highest rate in any population. We are often quick to assume that depression is the primary reason behind suicidal thoughts and ideation in the elderly. Recent research, however, suggests that elderly "blame their struggles with illness, disability, financial concerns, family difficulties and bereavement for their suicidal thoughts." As such, focusing purely on an older adult's mood may not be adequate in addressing the root cause of their suicidal thoughts. To learn more about suicide in the elderly check out this great New York Times article by Judith Graham. |
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Supporting and enhancing students' and health professionals' knowledge and understanding of mental health and psychiatry
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