User:Wendy1959/sandbox

Depression is one of the most common disorders that presents in old age and is comorbid with other physical and psychiatric conditions, perhaps due to the stress induced by these conditions.[43] In older adults, depression presents as impairments already associated with age such as memory and psychomotor speed. Research indicates that higher levels of exercise can decrease the likelihood of depression in older adults even after taking into consideration factors such as chronic conditions, body mass index, and social relationships.[44] In addition to exercise, behavioral rehabilitation and prescribed antidepressants, which is well tolerated in older adults, can be used to treat depression.[45]

Anxiety Anxiety is a relatively uncommon diagnosis in older adults and it difficult to determine its prevalence.[46] Anxiety disorders in late life are more likely to be under-diagnosed because of medical comorbidity, cognitive decline, and changes in life circumstances that younger adults do not face. However, in the Epidemiological Catchment Area Project, researchers found that 6-month prevalence rates for anxiety disorders were lowest for the 65 years of age and older cohort. A recent study found that the prevalence of general anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults aged 55 or older in the United States was 33.7% with an onset before the age of 50.[47]

Loneliness Loneliness in adulthood plays a major factor in depression and anxiety. According to Cacioppo, loneliness is described as a time in one's life when you are emotionally sad and feel as if there is a void in your life for social interactions. Older adults tend to be lonelier due to death of a spouse or children moving away due to marriage or careers to either other states or countries. Another factor is friends sometimes lose their mobility and can't socialize like they used to. Loneliness is categorized in three parts, which are intimate loneliness, relational loneliness and collective loneliness. All three types of loneliness has to do with your personal environment. Older adults sometimes depend on a child, spouse or friend to be around for them socially for daily interactions and for help with everyday chores.