What is the most common mental disorder in later life

The World Health Organization estimates that 15% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental disorder. This is much higher than the proportion of people with physical disorders.

The optimum identification and treatment of common mental disorders is therefore a priority for primary care. This article aims to provide evidence on the lifetime prevalence of mental disorders among older patients attending general practices using data from electronic medical records.

Schizophrenia is the most common mental disorder in later life. It's estimated that one in every three people will have it at some point during their lives.

The most obvious symptoms are hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that don't exist) and delusions (false beliefs that you don't change, even when presented with facts). They may also have trouble with speech.

Disorganized thinking and speech can include shifting from one thought to the next without a logical connection or speaking in sentences that don't make sense to others.

A person with schizophrenia can also seem to have no pleasure or emotions. Their voice can sound flat, and they might not smile normally.

It's important for a person with schizophrenia to get the right treatment to manage their symptoms. This can help reduce the chance of relapse or hospitalization and improve the quality of life. It can also reduce the risk of suicide, which is more common in people with schizophrenia than in the general population.

Until recently, bipolar disorder was thought to be a "burnout" condition that only affected people in their twenties. But a growing body of research suggests that it can develop later in life too.

It is important to keep a daily mood journal so you can spot triggers and monitor how well your medication works. It can be especially helpful to share it with your primary care doctor, as they will need to know if your medicine needs changing.

A person with bipolar disorder experiences alternating episodes of high and low mood (manic or depressive). The symptoms may include extreme energy, impulsive behavior, and erratic sleep patterns.

If you’re diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your treatment will help control the symptoms and make them less severe. You might also need psychotherapy (talk therapy).

People with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, such as suicide. If you’re having thoughts of suicide, it is important to talk to a health professional right away.

People who have schizoaffective disorder may have problems with their emotions, thoughts, and behavior. These symptoms are caused by a disturbance in brain chemistry that can result from a variety of things, including environmental stressors or genetics.

It is important to diagnose schizophrenia before it becomes a serious problem. This condition is usually treated with medication and therapy.

Medication can help ease hallucinations and delusions, reduce disorganized thinking, and soothe agitation. It can also be used to treat mania and depression.

Mental health treatment for schizophrenia often includes psychotherapy (individual and group sessions), along with medication, complementary therapies, and life skills training. These therapies can help people learn how to manage their illnesses and get their lives back on track.

Depression is a mood disorder where people have a constant feeling of sadness, low self-esteem, and loss of interest. It can be caused by a range of factors, including life-changing events like a break-up, death, or losing a job.

A person can feel depressed for weeks, months, and sometimes years, and it often comes on without any clear reason. If you have had a feeling of sadness for weeks or months and don't feel better, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Treatment for depression includes talking therapies, medication, and lifestyle changes. Your doctor will recommend what's best for you based on your symptoms.

Depression can be triggered by life events and can be inherited or caused by certain conditions, such as thyroid problems, menopause, or pregnancy. People with a family history of depression are more likely to get it. Other risk factors include physical pain, ongoing health problems, and alcohol or drug abuse.

The risk of suicide is higher for those with schizophrenia-affective disorder, especially during the early stages. They need a lot of support from their family and friends, as well as from qualified medical professionals who understand the nature of schizoaffective disorder and know how to treat it effectively.