Mental Health and Wellness in Later Life Flashcards
(43 cards)
Delusion
A fixed, false belief
Dysthmia
2+ years of depressed mood for more days than not, with more depressive symptoms not aligning with a major depressive episode
Illusion
Misinterpretation of a real experience
Insight
Recognition one has a health problem or illness
Mood
A person’s internal, self-reported emotional state
Paranoia
An intense and strongly defended irrational suspicion
Mental Health
A state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, able to contribute to community
Components of an MSE
Mental Status Examination
Appearance, behaviour, affect, mood, speech, language etc.
Most common anxiety disorders in older persons
Generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobias
Symptoms of GAD
Unwarranted worries, feelings of apprehension, restlessness, on edge, fatigue that develops readily, difficulty concentrating
Phobia
Unrealistic or irrational fear that interferes with a persons life
Anxiety - Non pharm interventions
Family support, community resources and therapists, support groups, provision of information
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder
Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are repetitive and purposeful; and by intentional ritualistic behaviour
PTSD
Development of symptoms after a traumatic event
Psychosis
Syndrome or constellation of psychiatric symptoms that occurs in a number of physical and mental disorders
Schizophrenia
Severe mental disorder characterized by two or more of the following symptoms:
Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized thinking
Apathy
Bipolar Disorder and Mania
Periods of mania and depression, often level out later in life
Age related changes
Etiology
Decrease in neurons and neurotransmitters
Modifications in cerebral dendrites, glial support cells, synapses
Compromised thermoregulation
Age related changes
Implications
Impaired muscle strength, deep tendon reflexes
Slowed motor skills, balance and coordination
Decreased temp sensitivity
Slowed processing
What is cognition
Process of acquiring, storing, sharing and using information
Includes language, thought, memory, executive function, judgement, attention and perceptions
3 D’s
Delirium, dementia, depression
Which is the only irreversible D?
Dementia
Delirium is characterized by
- Sometimes they may altered LOC
- Sometimes they may have no interest in eating
- They have forms of delusions or they hallucinate
What causes delirium?
Any for of pathology Alcohol withdrawal Trauma Antibiotics Infection medication