Age Less / Live More 631: Mental Health in Later Life with Dr. Helen Lavretsky
Jul 31, 2024
Dr. Helen Lavretsky, a psychiatrist and UCLA professor specializing in geriatric psychiatry, sheds light on the mental health struggles faced by those over 60, revealing that loneliness and chronic pain are significant factors. She discusses the aging brain's shifts and the challenges of polypharmacy. Fascinatingly, Dr. Lavretsky emphasizes the uplifting power of music, chanting, and mind-body practices like yoga, highlighting their benefits for mental well-being and cognitive health in later life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Brain Changes with Age
- The brain shrinks and develops spots from vascular disease as we age.
- This can lead to impulsivity, trouble multitasking, and difficulty finding words.
Personality and Aging
- Personality changes in older adults are not random.
- They are often due to brain aging and reduced inhibition.
Emotional Resilience in Aging
- Resilience and emotional processing improve with age.
- Older adults tend to focus less on negative stimuli.