It’s good to talk – if you’re getting older and fearing the worst

According to Age UK, half of adults over 55 have experienced common mental health problems. The good news is the stiff-upper-lip approach to problems is breaking down - now all we need are widely available treatments and facilities

I'm getting increasingly frightened lately. About anything and everything, whether it's happening or not, because I'm sure it will. Especially when I'm awake at night, feeling sick and sweaty and knowing for certain that the worst will happen. Perhaps my mental health is a bit dicey. Why not? I'm getting on and, according to Age UK, half of adults over 55 have experienced common mental health problems, often depression and anxiety.

No surprise there, then. We have plenty to be browned off or petrified about. Here I am, 75, with numerous chums going down like ninepins, struck with horrible illnesses, or, if we manage to keep going, there's the looming possibility of dementia, or relegation to a nursing home, like the two friends I visited last week. Or nuclear war. Or I may drop dead, just like that.

Continue reading...