6 myths about mental health when you're over 50

‍It’s often said that an old dog can’t learn new tricks… but older humans definitely can! Our brains retain a remarkable ability to adapt and change throughout life, positively affecting mental health after 50.

By Paul Merrill

Why is it that when someone in their 50s or 60s appears on a TV show or film, they’re usually a pitiful old fossil struggling through their miserable life and grumbling about new technology, young people and the price of beer?

So much for the joy and freedom of enjoying our best years.

In one recent survey, three quarters of over 50s are shown as isolated, vulnerable and a bit pathetic in the media landscape. Kinda like the sad, old bloke in Up who ties balloons to his house to escape.

All of which is a long, long way from the truth. In fact, the over 50s have never been more active, sociable and tech savvy.

So it’s high time we busted a few mental health myths…

Myth 1: I’ll be all lonely and depressed

Sadly, anxiety and depression affect every age group, but are actually twice as common in 20-somethings than they are in retirees.

It turns out the age group with the highest level of wellbeing is the over 75s! So your life’s going to get a whole lot better, not worse!

That’s not to say that loneliness isn’t an issue for our age group, but it’s not nearly as common as most people think.

Myth 2: I’m bound to get dementia

This is a widespread fear, but it simply isn’t true that it’s inevitable. Not only that, but it’s also not too late to take steps to make it even less likely to happen to you.

Only around 7.1% of people aged 75-79 are diagnosed with a form of dementia.

So, yes, it’s a big issue, but it’s by no means bound to happen.

And, even when you’re already over 50, there are plenty of ways to get even better odds: stay physically and mentally fit, eat healthily and stay active. 

Myth 3: It’s not worth cutting back on booze and cigs after 50 

We all know cutting back on alcohol and cigarettes will help your mental health, but here are some other reasons to go easy on the sherry and Marlboro Lights while you’re at it.

Smoking takes around a decade off your life, but quitting at 50 cuts it to five years. And it’s easier to do successfully when you don’t have the stress of young kids and a full-time job you hate.

As for alcohol, well, you might be more motivated to be sensible knowing that your liver deteriorates with age, hangovers really are worse and that a sneaky glass or three of wine is now more likely to trigger IBS, menopause symptoms, high blood pressure and even cancer.

The over 50s drink more heavily than any other age group, so it might be worth taking some baby steps in the right direction. You can still stay social: here are 7 ways to catch up with friends that don’t involve a drink.

Myth 4: I won’t make new friends

Oh yes you will! Guess which age group is the most socially connected? Yes, it’s those who’ve skipped (or at least shuffled) past their 75^th birthday.

They have all the mates they need and much higher rates of wellbeing than those pesky ‘youngsters’ fretting about unruly kids, unaffordable mortgages and unfair bosses.

It also turns out that once you pass 50, you don’t lose friends, you gain them! Feelings of connectivity actually increase every year past that age so FOMO will be a big no no.

Myth 5: My love life will be DOA 

A whopping nine in ten people in their 50s are still getting jiggy, and their bedroom action is often the best they’ve ever experienced, according to US author and relationship expert Iris Krasnow.

“I hear from a lot of wives with empty nests who have found the kitchen to be a real hot spot,” she says. “The best way to stoke the fires is to remember to put ‘have sex’ on your to-do list. Busy couples can be too exhausted at the end of the day to even speak, let alone undress each other.”

And sexy times usually continue to flourish, even as you approach your ninth decade -  three-quarters of 65-80-year-olds have a romantic partner next to them in bed. 

Myth 6: Therapy only works for young people

For more ‘mature’ generations, there can still be a stigma attached to discussing mental health.

Spilling our guts to a psychotherapist we’ve just met is pretty daunting so too many of us muddle along unhappily instead of facing up to worries.

It doesn’t help that Aussie doctors tend to scribble out prescriptions for antidepressants rather than refer patients aged over 50 to psychologists, who might be able to treat depression more effectively.

Our GPs and mental health professionals need to be brought up to speed according to University of Queensland professor Nancy A Pachana. She’s a ‘clinical geropsychologist’, which, as you might have already guessed, means she’s an expert in late-life anxiety disorders.

So don’t sit around hoping your doc might suggest some therapy because they probably won’t. Instead, be proactive and seek out the help you need. 

After all, you need your mental health in tip-top shape for all the reasons outlined above.