Extreme News Reporter Zheng Jingjing
Correspondents Zhou Qishu and Zhang Liguo
Grandpa Zhou from Xiantao, Hubei, often felt hot in his chest and back, uncomfortable all over, and despite seeking medical attention, no abnormalities were found. Only after seeking treatment at the Wuchang Hospital in Wuhan did he discover that it was due to anxiety disorder. After systematic treatment, his emotions improved, the discomfort disappeared, and a long-lost smile reappeared on his face.
77-year-old Grandpa Zhou is from Xiantao and has lived alone for years. In 2023, he began to feel unwell, with sensations of heat in his chest and back, and discomfort all over. He went to the local hospital for examination and was diagnosed with lacunar cerebral infarction. Despite treatment, his discomfort persisted, leading to feelings of depression, loss of interest in activities, difficulty sleeping at night, and significant weight loss. In May of this year, Grandpa Zhou visited multiple hospitals in Xiantao and Wuhan, but no physical abnormalities were found, which further heightened his anxiety.
Introduced by a neighbor, he sought help at the Wuchang Hospital in Wuhan at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology. Dr. Gao Yujun, the head of the Academic Studio of Academician Lu Lin and the leader of the Psychiatry and Psychology Department, diagnosed the elderly man with “anxiety disorder” after patient communication, medical history analysis, and assessment. Considering Grandpa Zhou’s condition for more than half a year and impaired social functioning, it was arranged for him to be hospitalized for systematic treatment. Dr. Gao Yujun’s team developed a treatment plan for Grandpa Zhou, which included medication, physical therapy, psychological therapy, and rehabilitation activities. After a week, his emotions improved, his sleep normalized, he regained his appetite, his voice became louder, and after two weeks, all his discomfort disappeared, revealing a smile that had been absent for a long time.
On July 16, Grandpa Zhou expressed his gratitude to the medical staff of the Clinical Psychology Department: “I have always lived alone. During my hospitalization, I met many people, especially the medical staff of the department, who chat with me every day, engage me in rehabilitation activities, and make me feel very warm.”
“Anxiety disorder is a common mental illness characterized by persistent feelings of unease, anxiety, and worry, which can impact a person’s social, work, and daily life. Like Grandpa Zhou, many elderly people, especially empty-nest elderly, widowed elderly, those with chronic illnesses and limited functionality, have a higher likelihood of suffering from psychological disorders,” explained Dr. Gao Yujun.
He emphasized that due to reduced social interactions, elderly individuals are prone to loneliness, anxiety, sensitivity, self-blame, and a range of psychological issues. Excessive anxiety, depression, and other emotions can lead to physical manifestations such as headaches, insomnia, and numbness in the extremities, as well as a negative attitude towards their own health conditions, posing additional health risks. When dealing with elderly patients, more psychological comfort, emotional support, care, and companionship should be provided, attending to their emotional changes and spiritual needs to help them achieve a relatively joyful and relaxed living environment.
In recent years, with the deepening aging of the population in China, psychological issues among the elderly have become a new challenge faced by medical institutions. The Psychiatry and Psychology Department of Wuchang Hospital in Wuhan, as a provincial-level key clinical specialty, analyzes the psychological characteristics of the elderly and utilizes various psychological health intervention methods to create a warm and harmonious treatment environment through psychological therapy, humanistic care, and health education, aiming to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the elderly.
(Photo provided by correspondents)
(Source: Extreme News)
