Mental Illness, A Bigger Problem Than Once Thought

About 50% or more of Americans will experience some form of mental illness at some point in their life, according to a new government report.

Many do not get help.

Many hide their problem from others.

And the fact is: there is also a big problem with underdiagnosis and undertreatment.

"Mental illness is frequently seen as a moral issue or an issue of weakness...It is a condition no different from cancer or other chronic diseases," stated Ileana Arias, principal deputy administrator of the U.S. Centers fro Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, "people need to accept the difficulties they are having and avail themselves of the resources that are available".

For more on mental illness, visit 50somethinginfo.com

Alarming Statistics on Alzheimer's Disease

Sonia Fernandez, staff writer at Santa Barbara News Press, wrote in January, 2010 that 10% of those over 65 will have Alzheimer's disease. By age 80, 1 in 2 can expect to have the disease.

Pretty scary stuff, huh?

Dr. Kenneth Kosik, executive director of the Center for Cognitive Fitness and Innovative Therapies and co-director of the Neuroscience Research Institute at University of California at Santa Barbara, says that people can defy the statistics, "the way to prevent or delay Alzheimer's is squarely in the hands of the people at risk for it." Those people need to be proactive towards their mental fitness:

1. Hypertension and high cholesterol are major contributors. Combat thise with exercise and a daily menu filled with vegetables and antioxidant foods.

2. Keep your stress low and your mental activity high.

3. Keep up your social interactions even when friends and family pass on.

For more on Alzheimer's disease, including emotions, finding care, clinical trials and much more, visit 5osomethinginfo.com

Seniors Work To Keep The Brain Healthy

Crossword puzzles aren't just for fun.

Researchers have found that the more the elderly (who subsequently developed dementia) participate in mentally-challenging activities like classes, group discussions, board games, bingo, volunteer work, eating out, going to the movies, reading, playing music and similar pastimes, the longer they went without showing obvious signs of memory loss and other symptoms.

Study author Charles B. Hall, Ph.D., of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York reported that the above pastimes may help to build up so-called cognitive reserve, "or the ability of the brain to function normally despite showing signs of damage from Alzheimer's Disease".

Ways to Keep the Old Brain In Action: Brain Games Plus

Boomers and seniors need to pay particular attention to exercising their brains in order to stimulate it and keep it functioning properly.

Here are ways to do that:

Go on interesting outings. Meet up with friends.

Discuss current events.

Cook.

Exercise.

Play brain games.

Share memories--look at photos together.

Listen to music.

For more on mental fitness, visit 50somethinginfo.com.