Obsession in old age or any other type of obsession is annoying at any age and causes psychological and physical problems for the affected person. Obsession is a repetitive thought or action that, like elderly mood disorders, imposes considerable suffering on the patient. In a way that disrupts the person’s life and relationships.
Usually, the age of onset of obsession in people is from the age of 20, and only 15% of people become obsessed after the age of 35. The onset of obsession in old age is very rare; but what is important is that the type of obsession in old age is different from other ages. Because in old age, due to muscle atrophy and the person’s own strength decreasing, the consequences of obsession can become worse. In this article from humanhealthmag, we will examine this disorder among the diseases of old age and its treatment methods.
Prevalence of Obsession in Old Age
The prevalence of Obsession in old age is only one percent, but its pattern is different from obsessions that develop at a young age. Most elderly people who suffer from obsessions mainly have obsessions about washing and fear of guilt. Since obsessions begin at a young age, if an elderly person suffers from obsessions, they must have had a mild form of it before. If obsessions have just appeared in an elderly person, it is possible that something happened in their life that was difficult for them to bear and they suddenly became obsessed. This is why paying attention to mental health issues in the elderly is very important.
It is also possible that a person has had obsessions since their youth but they were not very serious, but the signs of aging appear. In addition, if we witness obsessions in old age, we can find out with a little research that a physical illness is the cause of the obsession. Such as diseases that affect the brain, including:
- Stroke
- Brain tumors
- Poisoning caused by substances such as pesticides
5 Cases of Obsession in Old Age
Obsession in old age can manifest in different forms, each with its own characteristics and symptoms. Obsessions can also be a sign of changes of aging. Below, we will discuss the types of obsessions in the elderly and a brief explanation of each of them:
1- Washing Obsession
Washing or contamination obsession in the elderly refers to an excessive desire to clean and wash hands or objects around them. These people usually experience anxiety due to fear of contamination or germs, and to reduce this feeling, they wash their hands frequently or clean different spaces. These behaviors may reach the point where they disrupt their daily lives and take up a lot of time. As a result, this type of obsession can lead to physical problems such as dry skin or skin infections.
2- Doubtful Obsession
Doubtful obsession involves constant worry about doing things correctly. Elderly people with this type of obsession may repeatedly check actions such as locking doors or turning off electrical appliances because they are worried about the potential dangers of forgetting. These behaviors can lead to wasted time and reduced quality of life, as the person feels a lack of control over their thoughts. Also, this type of obsession may be accompanied by depression and anxiety.
3- Guilt Obsession
Obsessions in the elderly often refer to persistent feelings of guilt or shame caused by past thoughts or actions. Elderly people with this disorder may experience intense feelings of guilt due to past mistakes or concerns about harming others. These thoughts can cause emotional distress and reduced self-confidence, and keep the person away from social activities. Treatment for this type of obsession requires special attention to the person’s emotional and psychological issues.
4- Order Obsession
- Obsessions in order involve an excessive need to organize and arrange things in a specific way. Elderly people with this disorder may spend hours arranging things until everything meets their specific standards. These behaviors can cause tension in social and family relationships, as the person may react strongly to small changes in their environment.
5- Hoarding Obsession
Hoarding refers to an intense desire to keep unused objects that the person cannot resist throwing away. Elderly people with this disorder may fill their homes with unnecessary objects, which can lead to safety hazards and health problems. This type of obsession in the elderly is usually caused by feelings of insecurity or fear of the future, which can affect the person’s quality of life. Obsessive-compulsive disorders in the elderly require accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to maintain their quality of life. Raising awareness among families is also important in identifying and managing these disorders.
Diseases Associated With Obsessions in the Elderly
One of the problems that obsessions in old age can cause for these people is that they are usually accompanied by other diseases. It is interesting to know that obsessions are accompanied by major depression in 67% of cases. It may even be accompanied by social phobia. In this case, the person’s functioning is impaired in such a way that he becomes more withdrawn and it will be difficult for him to leave the house. The most common disorders associated with obsessions are:
- Tics
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Personality disorders
What Exacerbates Obsessions in the Elderly?
Roots Obsessions in old age can be exacerbated for a variety of reasons. Physical and psychological changes associated with aging, loss of loved ones, loneliness and social isolation, chronic illnesses, and life stresses can all exacerbate obsessive symptoms in this age group.
Some medications and alcohol consumption may also play a role in exacerbating obsessions. Elderly people with obsessions often worry about contamination and germs and may spend hours washing their hands and cleaning their surroundings. These behaviors can severely affect their daily lives and disrupt social relationships. Factors that exacerbate obsessions in the elderly:
- Physical and psychological changes associated with aging
- Loss of loved ones
- Loneliness and social isolation
- Chronic illnesses
- Life stresses
- Some medications and alcohol consumption
Treatment of Obsession in Old Age
Depending on the situation in which Obsession in Old Age increases, sufferers are given training to help reduce their anxiety. For example, with the help of a cognitive-behavioral technique, when the thought of obsession comes to them, they should constantly repeat this behavior to themselves until its effect disappears and becomes repetitive for them. Of course, in addition to medication, psychotherapy is also necessary. It is better not to leave the obsessive elderly alone; because the elderly do not go to the doctor for treatment of obsession due to their traditional thoughts.
That is why their surroundings and the elderly nurse at home are looking for a way to help them. You cannot help these elderly people except to not leave them alone. Be sure to convince them to see a doctor. Because in old age, people’s physical strength decreases. If they are supposed to be constantly washing, their strength decreases and, God forbid, they will contract other diseases.
Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
This method is one of the most effective treatments for Obsession in old age, and it is even said that its therapeutic effect is greater than drug therapy. However, the necessary condition for its effectiveness is the patient’s awareness of the logic of this method. The more this awareness increases, the greater the elderly’s cooperation with the techniques used in the behavioral therapy process and the chance of success increases.
Research has shown that the effect of drug therapy in obsession is about 60% and behavioral therapy is about 70 to 75%. Behavioral therapy is more effective and its therapeutic effects are more stable. Because in this treatment method, the patient learns a technique that allows him to control his behavior with his own will. These two treatment methods achieve a common goal and change in the brain and recovery of the disease in different ways. Ultimately, it is recommended to use both drug therapy and behavioral therapy to get a better effect.
Drug Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Treatment of Obsession in old age, like other ages, is done with the help of drug therapy. In drug therapy, a substance called serotonin increases in the brain and brain nuclei at the same time as the drug is taken, and the same changes that occur in the brain as in behavioral therapy are achieved. There are various drugs used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, including:
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine (Levox)
- Sertraline (Zoloft, Asentra)
- Citalopram
Effect of Behavioral Therapy and Drug Therapy on Obsession in Old Age
In patients with Obsession in old age, the activity of some parts of the brain changes. Among them, the function of the caudate nucleus, which is located at the base of the brain, increases. In the imaging studies, it has been shown that the amount of sugar and oxygen consumption increases in this area.
After about 2 to 3 months of treatment together, both treatment methods balance the activity of these parts of the brain. At the same time, the symptoms of the disease decrease and the patient gains more power and control over controlling his obsessive behaviors.
Concluding Remarks
In general, obsession in old age can have a significant negative impact on their quality of life. As a result, identifying aggravating factors and appropriate treatment by mental health professionals can help improve the condition of these people.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the age of Onset of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessions usually begin at the age of 20, and only 15% of people develop this disorder after the age of 35.
What are the Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the Elderly?
- Excessive washing of the skin until it is damaged.
- Checking locks, electricity, and gas and ensuring that they are healthy
- Obsessive repetition of behaviors such as reading, writing, and walking
- Replacing bad thoughts with good ones
- Feeling the need to ask repetitive questions
- Mental repetition of words and numbers
What Causes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the Elderly?
Obsessions in old age can be caused by genetics and hereditary factors, biological factors, hormonal changes, and physical and mental illnesses.
Do the Symptoms of OCD Change Over Time?
OCD is a chronic disease, and if only 30% respond to treatment, we claim that the person has responded to treatment. Because even with a 30% response to treatment, the quality of life of the person increases. Also, the course of OCD is long-term and usually begins at the age of 20. It is possible that if the person is not treated, it will continue until old age, but over time, the symptoms of OCD will increase and decrease.