Mental disorders in later life

The incidence of mental disorders to some degree alters over the lifespan.

The two most common mental health problems in later life are the dementias and depression while other conditions also affect older adults over 65 :


 * Dementia - effects 5% of people over 65 and perhaps 20% in the over 80's
 * Depression - 4% severe requiring hospital admission, 13% milder forms
 * Generalized anxiety disorder - 3%
 * Phobias - 10% of whom 40% would be depressed