Does Growing Old Lead to Negative Shifts in Mindset?

Abstract: Preventative mental health care has become more popularized around the world. The human psyche is becoming an increasingly complex and important topic in scholarly circles and societies. While our minds evolve over our lifetimes, it is now being brought into question if this evolution is our undoing. Does growing old trigger events that lead to negative shifts in our mental health?

What's your sign? What’s your MBTI? Your Enneagram? Which Harry Potter character are you? Are short-form personality tests the best way to predict your future and uncover different portions of your mindset? Recent studies are showing that the best predictor for your future mentality could be seen by simply checking your calendar. The changes and life experiences that we internalize as we age could be the leading factors in developing mental illness and changing our neural pathways (NIH). Physical changes experienced by the body, missed opportunities, and trauma can all lead to negative shifts in mental health.

Aging bodies can lead to a plethora of health conditions. Deterioration of muscle cells and cognitive function is a gateway to negative body image and a more pessimistic outlook (NIA Foundation). Studies by the National Institute of Aging show that elderly people who engage in moderate levels of activity and healthy behavior are less likely to show lapses in memory or coherency (NIA Foundation). Aging ties into the idea of life passing you by, another dangerous paradigm for seniors and youth alike.

As you age, naturally, opportunities pass by. Hindsight is always 20/20 and looking back on your naïve nature as a mature adult can be heartbreaking. Although it can be stressful to reflect and see how much better you could’ve been with a little tweaking, this doesn’t have to be the case. BMC Psychology identifies this “Fear of missing out” as a type of anxiety that correlates positively with anxiety and depression. Looking back at your past life is an inherently difficult thing. “What if” is the most asked question in human history. The idea of your past life being stressful should not deter you from self-reflection in small doses. Alternatively, these past experiences can help drive you forward in your current situations. A small shift in perspective can make looking back helpful and insightful.

Abrupt shifts in perspective based on harmful events, however, causes more problems. As we age, we have negative events that can shape our future. These negative events are most critical in our formative years, over time we can start to see how trauma controls our lives (SAMHSA). The Substances and Mental Health Service Administration also link trauma to substance abuse, which can worsen underlying issues and create an unhealthy co-dependency for the brain. Since we passively collect trauma over time via deaths, physical trauma, and financial struggles, aging can be an indicator of how weathered your psyche is.

Ultimately, age doesn’t inherently signify poor mental health. Instead, our age and the progression of our lives should serve as reminders to check in with ourselves. Maintaining healthy habits like being open about our feelings and staying optimistic are easy ways to reduce the strain of age on our minds. Even without a crystal ball, looking into the future can give insight into our new mindsets and attitudes.

Works Cited

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