Ask a Doc: Mental Health

Mental health plays a major role in people’s ability to maintain good physical health. In this week’s “Ask a Doc,” Raymond A. James, D.O. answers questions about mental health. Do you have a question for us? If so, click here to send questions to the Clinic and we will answer them monthly.

What mental illness are older people most likely to develop?

Dementia is the most common mental health concern among the elderly. About 5 million adults aged 65 and older – approximately 10 percent of seniors – have Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. We all have decreased short term memory as we age, but when it affects our daily life, it may require evaluation and treatment.   

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the most common type of anxiety disorder diagnosed in older adults. Understanding what triggers feelings of anxiety and learning ways to cope with the stressors can help, along with counselling.  Medications are usually reserved for patients whom counselling and behavioral methods have been unsuccessful.

Situational depression may occur due to losing a loved one.  If symptoms of sadness persist or if a person becomes increasing withdrawn, then evaluation for clinical depression and medical treatment due to underlying imbalance of brain chemistry may be needed.

Is Alzheimer’s the same as dementia?

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, or other thinking skills. There are many different types of dementia, but Alzheimer’s is a specific disease and is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80 percent of dementia cases.

Isn’t forgetfulness just a part of aging?

Sure, forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. As we get older, changes occur in our brain, just as they take place in all parts of our body. Some people may notice that it takes longer to learn new things, they don’t remember information as well as they did, or they lose things like their glasses. That’s very different than dementia, though. Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It’s caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, and that can affect thinking, behavior and feelings.

Sometimes my brain just feels tired. What’s that about?

Mental fatigue – it’s a real thing. There are so many reasons your brain feels tired. Contributing factors can be physical, like poor nutrition, lack of sleep, or hormonal imbalances. Or it could be the result of a physical issue like depression, heart disease, chronic illness, or an autoimmune disease. Or you could just be asking your brain to do too much. Too many decisions, too much work, too many interruptions, too many demands. When this happens, it’s important to take a break, pause and give your brain time to restore.

Any tips to help improve mental wellbeing?

This may not come as a surprise but sitting too much actually drags down your mental health. So, get up and get moving. Physical activity is as good for the mind as it is for the heart and the waistline. Take advantage of our location. We’re fortunate to live where there’s easy access to nature, walking paths and a beautiful beach with red tide now waning.

What are some early warning signs I should be on the lookout for?

That is a tricky question to answer. There’s no easy test to score mental health. People deal with situations in so many different ways, it’s hard to say what might just be typical behavior for one person, or something that’s concerning for another. And the way you’re feeling may be a symptom of a physical illness. But these are some common signs of mental illness in adults (according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness):

Your primary care physician is a good starting point for those seeking assistance with their mental health. You can find great information on the website of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/. The Alzheimer’s Association’s website is another place to find information on the disease as well as local resources. Another mental health resource is NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), which has a text or phone number you can call in a crisis. Call 911 if you or someone you know has a life-threatening emergency.

About the Author

Raymond A. James, D.O.

Dr. James joined the Clinic in March 2018 and serves as Medical Director of the Clinic. A graduate of Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, he completed his residency at Metropolitan Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is board certified in emergency medicine and has been awarded fellowship status by the American College of […]