Lucía Tomás: «Depression and anxiety are disorders that do not understand age»

The pandemic is disrupting the lives of all Aragonese and no one is exempt from suffering from what is known as pandemic fatigue. Neither do the elderly, many of whom have barely seen their families for a year. Lucia Tomás, president of the Professional College of Psychology of Aragon (COPPA), member of the COPPA Psychology of Aging and Disability Group and member of the Aragonese Observatory of Solitude (OAS), an organization created by the Justice of Aragon, answers questions from this newspaper.

We tend to think that problems such as depression or anxiety are “new” ailments that affect middle-aged or young people, but how do they affect the elderly?

They affect in the same way. Depression and anxiety are disorders that do not understand age. The symptoms are the same and are not related to age, although the causes may be different and manifest differently. They remain just as disabling and annoying.

Is it more difficult to detect these problems in older people? Do they open less?

It is not because they open up less, generally less attention is paid to them because there are still many prejudices. “He's older, it's normal,” he says to himself. It's all attributed to age. This is a generation that has not delved so deeply into emotional management. They come from a completely different context and the importance of managing emotions has not been conveyed to them. We now know that our emotions influence our well-being, but this was not previously discussed as such.

How has the pandemic affected the elderly in general in terms of their mental health?

Obviously isolation, loneliness, fear of contagion or uncertainty are ingredients that have generated discomfort in the entire population, but especially in the elderly who have become the target population of this pandemic. Of course, we must keep in mind that talking about a 65-year-old person is not the same as talking about an 85-year-old person, as well as the circumstances, physical health and personal resources of each person, which will be unique and will influence the management of the conditions. adverse situations.

And those in the residences?

It cannot be generalized, but truly traumatic situations have been experienced in the residences. Being locked in their room, seeing colleagues die, being away from their loved ones and often not knowing what was happening. Many of these people have experienced very complicated situations, despite being well cared for.

How can these problems in older people be treated to make their lives more bearable?

Stay connected, walk, do activities or have a hobby, keep your mind busy and, above all, when we detect that the situation is prolonged or surpasses the person who suffers from it, it is essential to go to a professional. We must listen to older people, because many have the impression that no one has time for them. Allow them to express their fears and concerns without minimizing what they feel.