Question

the following are common mental issues encountered by older individuals. list relevant risk factors for each

depression

dementia

Answer 1

Risk factors for Depression:

Depression is a mood disorder, which is characterised by depressed mood , depressive cognitions like hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness , along with suicidal ideations. Depression is a common mental disorder in elderly. Risk factors for Depression in elderly are :

* Family history or Genetics: Genetics play a major role in Depression. Even though exact mechanism is unknown, history of depression for family member such as parents or siblings is a major rosk factor

* Abuse : Previous history of abuse : Physical , sexual , emotional and childhood abose are major risk factors of depression.

* Loss of loved one or object: Death of a close person or failure in exam, love failure , loss of an intimate object may be a risk factor for Depression.

* Major life events, conflicts , emotional turmoil : Major events like divorce, new job, retirement, birth of a baby , marriage etc and continous conflicts and emotional turmoil may  cause Depression.  

* Alcoholism and other drug abuse : Research reports reveal that around 30 % alcoholics are suffering with Depression. Along with alcoholism other substance abuse also act as a major debilitating factor of mental health and can cause Depression.  

* Other illness such as ADHD , chronic diseases or pain , sleep problems also may act as a risk factor for Depression.  

* Medication side effects: Certain medications can cause Depression as a side effects. Example: Thyroid medications, Acne medications.

Risk factors for Dementia:

Dementia is chronic organic mental disorder, characterised by progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. Global impairment of memory, attention, judgement, personality etc are the main symptoms of Dementia.  

Risk factors:

* Genetics or family history: Some forms of Dementia is associated with the presence of abnormal genes. example : Huntington's disease. Presence of a Family member with Dementia is not a proved risk factor in Dementia. But genes can carry certain neurological diseases that can increase the susceptibility of Dementia.

* Age : Advanced age is a major risk factor for Vascular dementia.  

* Alcoholism and smoking : Smokers and alcoholics are in high risk category to develop vascular problems such as Atherosclerosis , that inturn may  cause Vascular dementia and other forms of Mental impairment.  

* Diabetes and high LDL level : High blood sugar and high Low Density Lipid are associated with atherosclerosis, stroke etc. That may result in intra cerbellar haemorrhage or loss of blood supply to the parts of brain, become a major risk factor for Dementia.  

* Mild cognitive impairment: Studies show that people with mild Cognitive impairment have major possibility for developing Dementia.  

* Homocysteine : One of the major risk factor for Alzheimer's dementia is  Increased plasma Homocystiene level . Researchers revealed the association between increased blood level of Homocystiene , an aminoacid and Alzheimer's disease.