final - mental health and aging

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH AND AGING 1

MENTAL HEALTH AND AGING 2

Mental Health and Aging

Sule Umit

05/10/2022

Mental Health and Aging

Introduction

In life, every living organism grows and this also applies to humans that grow older and undergo various stages and phases of life. It is important to understand the process of aging of humans and the context of each stage for the purpose of appreciating life. The period between births to death is described as the life course and it is characterized by the sequence of predictable life events that include the physical growth and maturation (Gagnon, 2021). There are several phases in the development of humans and each of the phases comes with different responsibilities and expectations. In this process of growth, there are life experiences that at time might result to causing an individual mental health like the military that goes to warzone fights. As the age progresses, the impact that mental health affects the elderly and those aging is increasing because the impact that mental health like depression have on the elderly is more detrimental and severe as compared to a young person. In this paper, we would discuss various concepts of mental health and aging that affects human life. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: This is a citation to a book review. It is not an actual citation containing information, so it cannot be used for this paper.

Primary Aging

The human body is continually changing, including losing cells that can no longer perform their previous functions. People age biochemically, physiologically, behaviorally, socially, and environmentally. Effects of age, non-normative life events, and history all help people, especially the elderly, feel less alone and more able to connect. The first is cellular DNA aging, which offers us a broad notion of how our DNA ages (Gagnon, 2021). Second, primary aging causes random effects such cell damage that is difficult to repair after death. Our bodies age owing to pre-programmed responses to what we say or do. Ghrelin, which enhances cell communication and regulates metabolism, stops acting beyond age 20. Several basic aging hypotheses exist to explain if the researchers are correct. Among the assumptions are mitochondrial function abnormalities. Human radicals oxidize DNA. Antioxidants are thought to only slow or stop the aging process. The genetic lifespan theory assumes there are genes that can influence primary aging. A genetic limit is a desirable natural phenomenon. Scientists have discovered that calorie consumption has a significant impact on aging, as seen by age-related changes in the number of metabolisms. Intensive calorie consumption has been found to prolong animal lifespan.

Age-related differences between people and influence between people of the same age are explained by primary aging. Human growth factors like testosterone and estrogen are affected by early signs of aging. These hormones change as we age, causing graying hair, hair loss, and facial wrinkles. Because the body's defense mechanisms weaken with age, older people get sick. Younger people have better mental capacity. It's safe to trust older folks to make important decisions (Gagnon, 2021). Most countries are established on the old beliefs, who provide the greatest policies for the youth to follow. Indeed, studies demonstrate that even young people forget knowledge they are told. Scientists suggest that as we age, our brains weary and our hormones deplete. Memory loss is caused by the brain losing cells, making it tougher to coordinate certain cells. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: I don't see where this citation comes from with respect to this sentence.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a condition that is characterized by regular changes of an individual moods and a lack of energy and motivation. However, most people begin to feel the effects of this illness in their late teens or early adolescents. With bipolar illness, mood swings are more intense than they are for most people and can have an impact on their ability to think clearly and on their daily lives (Lockett, 2022). Frequently, those who suffer from bipolar disorder are concerned about what the future holds, including if their symptoms may worsen with age and whether they will be able to stop taking their medications in the future. The severity of bipolar disorder symptoms varies from individual to person. Depression and manic episodes may occur in rapid succession or may appear to fade away for a while, perhaps months or years. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: I don't understand this sentence.

Bipolar disorder can only be diagnosed if the patient has had at least one episode of either mania or hypomania before. Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose since its symptoms might be mistaken for those of other disorders. People with mania or hypomania, for example, may simply inform their doctor that they are depressed, resulting in an incorrect diagnosis of depression. Mania can cause psychotic episodes, which can lead to a false diagnosis of schizophrenia (Lockett, 2022). If left untreated, bipolar disorder can deteriorate over time. The severity and frequency of a person's symptoms may worsen and become more frequent over time. A person is more likely to have difficulties with their personal relationships or their day-to-day tasks if their symptoms persist without therapy for an extended period of time. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: That reference doesn't say this, and it doesn't make sense because these mistakes are not possible in modern psychology or psychiatry.

Suicide

People with a mental illness are more likely to commit suicide than those who are well. However, more than 90% of those who take their own lives have a mental disease. Suicide is not a result of mental disease on its own. Suicidal thoughts and actions can be triggered when the suffering of a person with a mental illness is compounded by the pressures of everyday life. Suicide is more likely to occur in people who have a diagnosable mood condition, such as serious depression or bipolar disorder. Suicidal thoughts and actions are more likely among people who suffer from depression and another mental illness (WHO, 2021). Suicide is more likely in people who suffer from mental diseases such depression, psychosis, or substance abuse, according to the research. The fact that a person has risk factors does not necessarily guarantee that they will contemplate or attempt suicide. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: Too much repetition of the same idea in this paragraph. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: No citation.

Pesticide self-poisoning is thought to be a factor in roughly 20 percent of all suicides, with the majority of these deaths occurring in rural agricultural areas of low- and middle-income nations. Hanging and using a firearm are two other popular means of taking one's own life. Knowledge of the most prevalent methods of suicide is essential to create effective prevention efforts, such as restricting access to suicide means. One of the most important aspects of suicide prevention is prompt access to scientific proof treatments, suicide awareness programs, and well-coordinated care. When delivered by trained professionals, suicide prevention methods such as safety training and substantial proof interventions and therapies can significantly improve and aid recovery (WHO, 2021). Suicide mortality can be reduced by stopping people in suicidal crisis from obtaining and using lethal self-harm measures. Education regarding proper medicine storage and firearm storage, as well as distribution of gun safety locks and medication package changes, can help restrict access to fatal methods for those in crisis. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: You got this from a journal article, but didn't cite it here. It's an interesting fact, but you need a citation. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: I don't understand this sentence, or how it's linked to the citation.

Death and Dying

For the vast majority of human history, the standard of living was substantially lower than it is today. Humans had to fight to stay alive in a world with few comforts and scant medical resources. Life expectancy was low and disease or accident mortality was high at any age. People began to link death with old age as life expectancy surpassed 100 years. For many teenagers and young adults, losing a grandmother or another elder relative might be the first loss of a loved one they encounter. It's possible that this is their first experience with sorrow, a psychological, emotional, and social reaction to the feelings of loss that accompany death or a similar tragedy (Lumen, 2021). People's attitudes on mortality, both their own and that of others, are heavily influenced by cultural norms. Death can be a terrifying thought for some people, who may see it as the logical conclusion of a long and successful life lived to its fullest. When a loved one dies, people often have powerful emotional reactions of grief. In the United States, it's common to think of death as a loss rather than a peaceful transition. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: But how does this vary globally now? Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: This is an online course, not an appropriate citation.

What's astonishing is how little research there was on death and dying before the 1960s. Death and dying were previously ignored until psychologist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross began examining people who were dying. People's transitions approaching death have certain common threads that Kübler-Ross noticed (Lumen, 2021). According to her observations, there were five distinct stages in the process: denial; rage; bargaining and sadness; and acceptance. The debate over "death with dignity" regulations reflects our society's attempt to detach itself from death. Terminally sick patients can now be cared for in facilities created by health care providers. Helping the surviving family members by taking care of their dying relative is seen as a kind gesture. However, research shows that most people prefer to pass away in the comfort of their own homes. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: As I pointed out in class, she wasn't a psychologist. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: But in class and the text, this was very much criticized and you should have mentioned this.

Schizophrenia

In schizophrenia, people's perceptions of reality are severely distorted, and this is a dangerous mental illness. Schizophrenia symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, and profoundly disordered thought and behavior, which can have a significant impact on daily life (Khan & Rajji, 2019). Changing demographics and the treatment of elderly persons with schizophrenia are creating a health catastrophe in all parts of the world. “For people 60 and older with mental and substance use disorders, schizophrenia is the third leading cause of loss of years of productive life” (Khan & Rajji, 2019). Additionally, older persons with schizophrenia contribute significantly to healthcare expenditures, with an anticipated higher expenditure per person compared to most other medical and psychiatric diseases. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: There's something wrong with this citation as the link didn't open. Also, it's not a journal article.

They also had greater incidences of congestive heart failure, COPD and hypothyroidism among older people with schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medicine effects and poor diet, smoking, and lack of exercise are also contributing causes. There is the need to study about the topic to uncover modifiable clinical and possible causal factors in older people with schizophrenia, given the lack of understanding of the mechanisms driving increased morbidity and death (Okusaga, 2014). One theory is that people who suffer from schizophrenia are more likely to have physiological and structural changes in their bodies at an earlier age than those who do not have the mental disease, which is marked by delusions, hallucinations, and thoughts that are out of control. Research suggests that schizophrenia may be caused by a complex interplay of genetics, neurochemicals, and environmental factors (Okusaga, 2014). Schizophrenia is a long-term condition, even if the symptoms have gone away. Medications and psychosocial therapy can be used to treat the disease. Hospitalization may be required in specific situations. There is no guarantee that schizophrenia can be prevented, but adherence to a treatment plan can help prevent relapses or worsening of symptoms.

Mental Health Issues

Mental health encompasses our emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. There are several ways in which it affects our mental and emotional state. This affects how we handle stress, how we interact with people, and how we make good decisions. Mental well-being is essential at every stage of life, from childhood through adolescence and into maturity. Even though they are sometimes used interchangeably, the phrases mental disease and poor mental health are not the same. It is possible to have poor mental health without having a mental disease diagnosed (CDC, 2022). A person who has been diagnosed with a mental illness may also go through periods of good health, mental clarity, and social connection. Symptoms of mental illness can range from everyday concerns to more serious long-term conditions. Mental health problems can be overcome or learned to live with by the majority of people who experience them, especially if help is sought early on. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: How can mental health affect our mental and emotional state?

In order for professionals to properly refer patients for treatment, mental health issues are typically defined and classified. Most diagnosis in the psychology field are controversial, and there is a lot of worry about how people are treated or portrayed because of their classification. As a result, they may see a decline in their overall health. Diagnoses are commonly used to categorize and separate symptoms, despite this. This has resulted in the customary categorization of most mental health symptoms into two groups: (CDC, 2022). These symptoms are referred to as 'neurotic' because they are considered to be the most extreme forms of 'normal' emotional experiences. Neuralgias are now more commonly referred to as "common mental health issues." Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: I don't know where this came from-- no one uses the term neuralgia anymore.

Alzheimer

Cognition, reasoning, and the capacity to execute basic activities are all steadily eroded as the disease progresses. Late-onset symptoms are often seen in persons in their 60s and older who have the disease. Alzheimer's disease that develops in the 30s or 30s to 60s is highly rare. Dementia in the elderly is most commonly caused by Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Alois Alzheimer is the inspiration for the disease's moniker (NIH, 2021). When a woman with an uncommon mental disease died in 1906, Dr. Alzheimer detected abnormalities in her brain tissue. Her symptoms were forgetfulness, stuttering, and irrationality. A postmortem examination of her brain revealed a number of abnormalities, including clumps of amyloid plaques (which are now known as amyloid deposits) and tangles of fibers. Parts of the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus are the first areas of the brain to be damaged in this process.

Brain areas that are involved in language, logic, and social conduct are among the first to be affected. Many other parts of the brain are eventually affected as well. Alzheimer's disease often begins with memory loss, however this might vary from person to person. Alzheimer's disease can also be detected in its early stages by a loss in other elements of thinking/reasoning, such as the ability to locate the proper words, problems with vision or spatial orientation, and problems with reasoning or judgment. A condition known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can act as the present metric of Alzheimer's, but not all those with MCI develop the condition (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Aducanumab is the only currently licensed Alzheimer's disease-modifying drug. Amyloid plaques, which are brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease, can be reduced by this medicine, which is a human antibody, or immunotherapy. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: No, this isn't true. Please review class materials/text.

PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder is simply a disorder that can develop in humans following a life-threatening experience. Anyone who has been through anything similar tends to avoid items that can bring up memories of the prior tragedy. Psychological trauma, such as emotional or physical abuse, can be a factor in the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma can be caused by rape, accidents, war, disease, natural catastrophes, violent assaults, and many other things. Posttraumatic stress disorder sufferers have a variety of symptoms that can continue for a few days but eventually subside with time (Smith, 2020). Some people have nightmares, feel numb, and have difficulty preventing themselves from thinking about what happened. Some people's symptoms are triggered by activities that bring back memories of what happened. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: WebMD is not an appropriate source, as was explained in the paper guidelines.

The occurrence of a traumatic event a second time is one of at least four trauma indicators to be aware of. Reliving the event brings back distressing recollections. He or she can also recall prior events and reenact them as if they were happening now. Occasionally, they will begin to experience nightmares as a result of a scary event. Additionally, some people experience nausea or even begin to perspire if they are exposed to certain stimuli. Another sign of posttraumatic stress disorder is a person's reluctance to engage in activities that will evoke memories of the trauma. There are a variety of therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder that focus on coping with the traumas in an effort to alleviate symptoms. Recalling the specifics of the occurrence helps patients retake control and carry forward with their life as usual after the occurrence during therapy. Cognitive and behavioral therapy are among the therapeutic options for post-traumatic stress disorder (Smith, 2020). During this phase, your therapist will encourage you to be open to experiencing feelings, thoughts, and situations that will aid in recalling the traumatic events. Thoughts that are distressing are replaced with more positive ones during this treatment.

High Risk Behaviors in our Lives

One's predisposition to engage in risky or dangerous activities is known as risk-taking behavior. People who engage in unprotected sex or binge drinking are examples of those who are abusing alcohol. People who engage in these behaviors are more likely to suffer from unintended accidents and violence, according to CDC. People participate in risky behaviors for a variety of reasons. Adopting risky habits like speeding or abusing drugs, for example, might result in fatal vehicle accidents or overdoses that translate to socio-economic challenges. However, at the time, they might elicit good emotions such as the rush of a fast car ride or the euphoria of drug consumption. Social acceptance or approval can occasionally be gained through risky acts. When it comes to risk-taking, peer pressure can play a big influence (Nouruzi & Majd, 2016). The desire to be accepted by one's peers may lead one to participate in risky behavior if they witness their friends or peers doing so. Being a part of one's peer group is extremely crucial for young people, and this is especially true throughout their formative years. A certain amount of risk-taking is a typical aspect of growing up for many children and young adults. As teenagers begin to form their own identities, they typically engage in a degree of self-discovery and risk-taking. At some point, putting a child's health and well-being at danger becomes problematic. Risk-taking behaviors might be exacerbated by certain mental health problems (Nouruzi & Majd, 2016). When it comes to impulsiveness, people with ADHD are more likely to participate in risky actions. A manic or hypomanic episode in a person with bipolar disorder may lead to increased risk taking. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: Don't understand this sentence. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: Don't understand what you meant here.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Everyday activities (ADLs) refers to a wide range of tasks undertaken by the majority of people on a regular basis that are necessary for other activities. Dressing, eating, taking care of one's personal hygiene, using the restroom, and walking are all examples of ADLs. They appear to be ordinary, yet in fact they are highly creative endeavors. Maintaining one's own health, social life, and relationships to other people are all reasons why ADLs are critical. It is important to recognize the differences between ADLs and other types of daily living activities like work, volunteer work and schooling. There are two types of ADLs: personal care activities (also known as BADLs) and instrumental daily living activities (also known as IDALS) (Mallinson, 2021). The activities that we engage in our daily living defines our behavior and interests in life because we focus on doing jobs that we are interested and passionate in making it a success. Self-determination theory is important in our daily living especially in the workplace where an individual should attain competence, relatedness and autonomy. In a scenario where we engage in an activity for voluntary basis like participating in a cleaning program or helping the needy demonstrates the calling in us to support the vulnerable in the society and also offering solutions to problems. There is the need that as we live in the society, we consider looking on ways in which we participate in productive activities that brings value to an individual life and also that of the community. Our daily activities determine our mental health and also the quality of life that we live (Mallinson, 2021). In this scenario, we should work on jobs that is good to our health and avoid behaviors that puts our lives at risk. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: You cannot cite Encyclopedia Brittanica in a college paper. Comment by Susan K Whitbourne: How does this fit in this section?

References

CDC. (2022). About Mental Health. cdc.gov. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm.

Gagnon, L. (2021). Introduction to Aging: A Positive, Interdisciplinary Approach. The Gerontologist, 61(3), 478-479. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaa211

Khan, W., & Rajji, T. (2019). Schizophrenia in Later Life: Patient Characteristics and Treatment Strategies. Psychiatric Times. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/schizophrenia-later-life-patient-characteristics-and-treatment-strategies.

Lockett, E. (2022). Does Bipolar Disorder Get Worse With Age?. Healthline. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar/does-bipolar-get-worse-with-age.

Lumen. (2021). the Process of Aging | Introduction to Sociology. Courses.lumenlearning.com. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sociology/chapter/the-process-of-aging/.

Mallinson, T. (2021). activities of daily living. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/activities-of-daily-living.

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Alzheimer's disease - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447.

NIH. (2021). What Is Alzheimer's Disease? National Institute on Aging. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-alzheimers-disease.

Nouruzi, K., & Majd, M. (2016). Relationship of High Risk Behaviors and Negative Life Events with Mental Health of Female Students in High Schools. PubMed Central (PMC). Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5026846/#:~:text=High%20risk%20behaviors%20include%20physical,to%20independence%20and%20so%20on.

Okusaga, O. (2014). Accelerated Aging in Schizophrenia Patients: The Potential Role of Oxidative Stress. Aging And Disease, 256-262. https://doi.org/10.14336/ad.2014.0500256

Smith, M. (2020). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). WebMD. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

WHO. (2021). Suicide. Who.int. Retrieved 5 May 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide.