Aging and Mental Health

People of every age are vulnerable to a range of mental health issues, the nature and prevalence of which vary as a function of both age and gender. This entry examines common mental health disorders in late life using a gendered lens and discusses potential explanations for the greater prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in older women than in older men. This entry notes that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is greater among older women than among older men; however, the analysis of gender differences in predominant neurological disorders in late life, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, is beyond the scope of this review.

Age, Gender, and the Prevalence of Mental Disorders

Most mental health problems begin in childhood or adolescence and are likely ...

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