Psychiatry Research EG

Old age is not a disease; it is a phase of life characterized by its own developmental issues [1]. It is characterized by many changes, particularly in the occupational and financial domains, in physiology, and health, including psychological and social domains. Such changes influence the well-being of elderly individuals and tend to lessen the physical and mental capacity of the elderly to cope with the rigors of daily living [2]. Out of every five individuals older than 60 years of age, one has mental disorders and the number is expected to double in the next 30 years [3,4]. The National Institute of Mental Health’s Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) program has found that the most common mental disorders of old age are depressive disorders, cognitive disorders, anxiety, and alcohol abuse [5]. Between 8 and 20% of older adults in the community and up to 37% in primary care settings have depressive symptoms [6]. Depression often co-occurs with other serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. Because of these co-occurring conditions, healthcare professionals may mistakenly conclude that depression is a normal outcome of these problems; this attitude is often shared by the patients themselves [7]. At the same time, anxiety disorders are associated significantly with some but not all types of chronic somatic diseases [8]. Many older individuals with anxiety symptoms, however, do not show multiple, uncontrollable worries, which are the defining feature of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV) generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) [9]. Concurrent physical illnesses increase the susceptibility to mental illness. However, psychiatric problems may decrease adherence to medical treatments and lead to poorer health outcomes of chronic diseases [2]. As there are few studies of psychiatric illnesses among physically ill elderly patients in underdeveloped countries in terms of phenomenology, prevalence, and types, the objectives of this study were as follows: (1) To examine for depressive and anxiety disorders in a group of medically ill elderly patients attending the outpatient clinic of the medical department. (2) To describe the prevalence of these disorders among our sample of patients. (3) To describe the sociodemographic background of the sample and its correlation to psychiatric symptoms.