Common psychological symptoms in the elderly

This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Doctor Doan Du Dat - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital

Aging in the elderly is mainly related to the decline in the function of organs in the body, which is the origin of age-related diseases.

1. The concept of elderly people

There are many different concepts of the elderly. In the past, people often used the term elderly to refer to the elderly, now "elderly" is used more and more. From a medical point of view: The elderly are people in the aging stage associated with a decline in body functions. Legally: The Law on Elderly of Vietnam 2010 stipulates: Elderly people are “All Vietnamese citizens aged 60 years and over”. According to the United Nations, seniors are counted as 60 years or older. In medicine, the elderly are classified into groups: from 60 to 75 years old is called the age of onset of aging, over 75 to 90 years old is the elderly, and over 90 years old is the long-lived elderly. Aging in the elderly is mainly related to the decline in the function of organs in the body, which is the origin of age-related diseases.

2. Common psychological manifestations in the elderly

2.1 Feeling lonely and looking forward to more care

Descendants are often busy with life. This makes the elderly feel forgotten, abandoned. They really want their old age to be happy with their children and grandchildren, and want others to see that they are not useless. They really want to be cared for and taken care of by many people and vice versa. They are afraid of being alone, afraid of being alone at home. Therefore, should behave gently, do not let the elderly feel they are rejected, abandoned. The older people are cared for and cared for, the better their psychology and longevity are.

2.2 Easily feel sorry for yourself

Most elderly people, if they are still healthy, can still help their children and grandchildren with some household chores, travel to serve themselves, or can participate in recreational and community activities. But there are also some elderly people due to their advanced age and declining health, so their living largely depends on their children and grandchildren. Therefore, it is easy to get depressed, sad, or self-pitying. The older the elderly, the older they become, the more their health declines, their walking slows down, they are no longer able to work, their concept of life is different from that of the next generation... so it's just an attitude or a word that lacks subtlety. can make them proud, feel sorry for themselves that they are old, so their children and grandchildren look down on them. In particular, the elderly are often sick, their children and grandchildren often take care of them, making them feel pressured and worried when disturbing their children and grandchildren.

2.3 Talkative or prone to depression

Because they want to pass on life experiences to their children and grandchildren, and want them to live according to their generation's moral standards, they often catch mistakes, talk a lot and sometimes make others uncomfortable. With a part of the elderly conservative and difficult to adapt to change, plus the decline in health, the ability to perform work is limited, if young people have dreams that cannot be fulfilled, or not. satisfactory, unsatisfactory... can appear symptoms of depression. They become opposites, or

2.4 Has a quick temper

Elderly people are often quite hot-tempered and easy to be proud of, easily self-deprecating, or think negatively, so their psychology is also hot-tempered. The social position changes, from taking care of the family to being cared for by children and grandchildren. Old people see that they have lost their inherent status, so they are very easily influenced and have low self-control, easy to quarrel with small things. Elderly people after retirement are often depressed and lose sleep, so their spirits are depressed and often stressed. In addition to stress, the elderly are also susceptible to other diseases, so pay attention to avoid falling into negative situations.

2.5 Or have skepticism

This overthinking is the cause of anxiety and temper. The elderly are very sensitive to everything as a psychological crisis that causes deterioration of health. Paying attention to psychophysiology and taking care of the elderly will help reduce these symptoms.

2.6 Sometimes afraid of facing death

Birth - death is the law of nature, although the elderly are still afraid to face death. There are also cases where the elderly discuss the afterlife for themselves, write wills for their children and grandchildren... there are those who do not accept it, avoid it and fear death.

2.8 Easy to fall in daily activities

Due to weak tendon and bone system, balance function, and reduced nerve reflexes, the elderly are prone to falls. The consequences of falls in the elderly are often much more serious than in young people, often causing major injuries to bones and skin, and associated diseases that are difficult to recover from. In the elderly, there are often diseases such as osteoporosis accompanied by age-related changes such as slow defense reflexes, so when falling, even a very normal fall becomes dangerous. Falls are one of the main causes of disability in the elderly.

2.9 Vulnerability to diseases, especially cross-contamination

As we get older, the immune system weakens, the elderly often find it harder to adapt because the immune system has been weakened. At this time, the elderly are very susceptible to respiratory diseases, especially Covid-19 infection.
Being subject to multiple diseases. As we age, many body functions are impaired, and our health becomes weaker. Therefore, the elderly are prone to many diseases and chronic diseases often have relapses. Especially bone, cardiovascular, respiratory diseases... When the elderly have health problems, they can visit Vinmec.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical facility in Vietnam with a team of highly qualified medical professionals, well-trained, domestic and foreign, and experienced.
A system of modern and advanced medical equipment, possessing many of the best machines in the world, helping to detect many difficult and dangerous diseases in a short time, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of doctors the most effective. The hospital space is designed according to 5-star hotel standards, giving patients comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

MORE:
Why are more and more elderly people depressed? Beware of depression in the elderly, after retirement Sleep disorder - obsession of the elderly