Psychological Disorders and How They Are Diagnosed. What exactly is a psychological disorder? How is a psychological disorder diagnosed? Defining exactly what constitutes a mental disorder can be tricky and, definitions have changed over time. The first problem is that psychologists must first decide exactly how to define disorder. How do you determine if there is something psychologically wrong or unhealthy about a person? If you were to define disorder as something that lies outside of the statistical norm, then people who are considered exceptionally talented or gifted in a particular area would be regarded as abnormal.
Today many psychologists agree that psychological disorders are characterized by both personal distress and impairment in multiple areas of life. Learn more about how clinicians define and classify mental disorders and discover how many people are impacted by such disorders every year. What Is a Psychological Disorder? Psychological Disorder Prevalence. 6 common mental disorders affecting Singaporeans today and where you can go to get help, Business Insider - Business Insider Singapore.
Pexels There’s been an increase in the number of Singapore adults who have suffered from a mental disorder in their lifetimes, the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) said recently. According to a 2016 study, one in seven people in Singapore have experienced specific mood, anxiety, or alcohol use disorders in their lifetime, up from roughly one in eight six years prior. Read also: 1 in 7 people in Singapore have experienced a mental disorder – and some millennials are more susceptible to mood and alcohol-related ones Part of the study’s findings is the alarming revelation that most of these sufferers (more than three-quarters) have never sought any professional help for their illnesses. Where to get help Beyond IMH and other hospitals that provide psychiatric care, General Practitioners (GPs) and polyclinics can be a first touchpoint for those who think they have a mental health issue.
. #1 – Major depressive disorder Singapore Press Holdings #2 – Alcohol abuse #4 – Generalised anxiety disorder. Common disorders in Singapore. Depression. What Is Alcohol Abuse? Risk Factors for Alcohol Dependence. International OCD Foundation | What is OCD? Most people have obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors at some point in their lives, but that does not mean that we all have “some OCD.” In order for a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder to be made, this cycle of obsessions and compulsions becomes so extreme that it consumes a lot of time and gets in the way of important activities that the person values. What exactly are obsessions and compulsions? Obsessions are thoughts, images or impulses that occur over and over again and feel outside of the person’s control.
Individuals with OCD do not want to have these thoughts and find them disturbing. In most cases, people with OCD realize that these thoughts don’t make any sense. Obsessions are typically accompanied by intense and uncomfortable feelings such as fear, disgust, doubt, or a feeling that things have to be done in a way that is “just right.” In the context of OCD, obsessions are time consuming and get in the way of important activities the person values.
Generalized anxiety disorder. Overview It's normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially if your life is stressful. However, excessive, ongoing anxiety and worry that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder. It's possible to develop generalized anxiety disorder as a child or an adult. Generalized anxiety disorder has symptoms that are similar to panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other types of anxiety, but they're all different conditions. Living with generalized anxiety disorder can be a long-term challenge. Generalized anxiety disorder care at Mayo Clinic Symptoms Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary. Physical signs and symptoms may include: Fatigue Trouble sleeping Muscle tension or muscle aches Trembling, feeling twitchy Nervousness or being easily startled Sweating Nausea, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome Irritability Symptoms in children and teenagers A child or teen with excessive worry may: Causes Prevention.
Bipolar Disorder. Am I alcohol dependent? If you find it difficult to enjoy yourself or relax without having a drink, it’s possible you’ve become dependent on alcohol. The NHS estimates that just under one in 10 (8.7%) men in the UK and one in 20 (3.3%) UK women show signs of alcohol dependence (sometimes known as “alcoholism”)1.Being dependent on alcohol means you feel you’re not able to function without it, that drinking becomes an important, or sometimes the most important, factor in your life. Important: Get medical advice before you stop drinking if you have physical withdrawal symptoms e.g. shaking, sweating, nausea before you have your first drink of the day.
It can be dangerous to stop drinking too quickly without proper support if you are experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Are you alcohol dependent? It might be surprising to hear that you don’t always have to be drinking to extreme levels to become dependent on alcohol. Take our Alcohol Self Assessment test to find out if you're drinking too much. Drinkchat. Many still steer clear of people with mental illness: Poll, Singapore News. Even as more people are seeking outpatient treatment at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), more than five in 10 respondents in a recent survey indicated they are unwilling to live with, live nearby or work with a person with a mental health condition.
The survey, which is the first of its kind by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), found that most people agree that more needs to be done to reduce societal stigma, yet they are also reluctant to accept them on an individual level. In the survey of 1,796 people conducted last year, six in 10 people said they believe that mental health conditions are caused by a lack of self-discipline and willpower, while half believe that persons with mental health conditions should not be given any responsibility. But seven in 10 respondents acknowledged that persons with mental health conditions experience stigma and discrimination in their daily lives, and eight in 10 said they believe the best therapy is for them to be included in society. ‘Crazy, weird, scary’: Survey unveils negative labels youths associate with mental illness. SINGAPORE — Researchers have called for regular and compulsory education on mental health for youths, in the wake of a study that found a large proportion of this group having misconceptions of mental illness.
Almost half (44.5 per cent) of 940 teenage students polled attached negative and pejorative labels to people with mental illness. “Crazy”, “weird”, “scary”, “stupid” and “dangerous” were among the words that came to mind then the respondents heard the term “mental illness”, reported the study, which was presented at the Frontiers in Mental Health symposium organised by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and Nanyang Technological University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine on Tuesday (March 6).
Some 46.2 per cent of the respondents, who were aged between 14 and 18, also said they would be “very embarrassed” if they were diagnosed with a mental illness, while nearly a quarter (22.7 per cent) said they would not want others to know if their relative were mentally ill. Singaporeans Confront Mental Health Stigma In Poignant Experiment. Some people say love doesn’t discriminate.
Well, neither does mental health illness. A bunch of Singaporeans learnt this lesson in more ways than you’d expect in a meaningful experiment by Beyond The Label SG. The viral video has garnered 1.6k shares in just one day, and you’re reminded to keep your tissue box close if you plan on viewing it. 1 in 8 adults have mental health issues Although “1 in 8 adults experienced mental health issues”, no one really talks about it in Singapore. The social experiment sought to uncover what regular Singaporeans honestly thought of mental health patients. Bear in mind, this was a strictly #nofilter interview, and each participant had a moderator paired with them for the discussion. Source The two moderators introduced themselves as Nicole and Nicholas, as they sat at a table in a cafe.
“Biopolar disorder” When asked what they knew about “mental illness in Singapore”, respondents answered that there’s “depression” and “biopolar disorder” aka bipolar disorder. Spotlight: Combating stigma attached to mental health issues | Video. Facing depression: Working adults battle not just demons, but also stigma. SINGAPORE: Outwardly, his wife and two young sons are his sources of joy. He seems a regular family man when he's with them. What is less apparent is that Mr Mak Kean Loong struggles to feel emotions like happiness. “In the past few years, I think I’ve never even felt that emotion,” said the bespectacled 38-year-old, who speaks with the numbed air of a tired man.
At first, they all thought he was “just becoming extra introverted”. It was, in fact, his descent into depression. "I didn’t tell my wife," he said. “The first part of the process was to bring my boys and my wife out for a good meal, for them to have something to remember me by. He didn't go through with the suicide. And it's that loss of that part of him that sits bitterly. It does hurt when I see people in office clothes. About 7 per cent of Singapore’s workforce has a history of mental illness. WATCH: One family man's demons (5:58). One of the main battles they must fight is perceived stigma among employers. Where to find help: What is Mental Illness | Singapore Association for Mental Health : Mental Wellness for All.
A mental illness is a disturbance of the mind that impairs the way we think, feel and behave. It affects our daily activities, as well as impact the lives of family members and friends. Mood and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses. About one in seven Singaporeans have experienced a mood or anxiety disorder at some point of their lives[1]. Diagnosis is made through clinical tests and observations. Despite their prevalence, persons with mental illness still face considerable stigma and discrimination. Many such individuals are thus reluctant to seek help and treatment. Let us look at some common misconceptions associated with mental illness. Take the first step by acknowledging that you may have a mental health condition. Consult a doctor or mental health professionalTalk to family members and friendsFind support in online forumsJoin a peer support groupCall SAMH Counselling Hotline at 1800 283 7019 (toll-free) Recovery is unique to each individual.
Treatment and Recovery - National Addictions Management Service (NAMS) Overcoming anxiety disorders. Anxiety is a normal everyday experience. Optimal amount of anxiety will in fact motivate one to perform better. In Generalised Anxiety Disorder, the anxiety symptoms occurs most of the day, persistent and may not be restricted to any particular environmental circumstances (ie. Free-floating). Symptoms / What to expect The physical symptoms of anxiety are muscle aches, tremors, palpitations, breathless, stomach upset, frequent urination, falling sick more often, sweating dizziness etc… The psychological symptoms of anxiety are irritability, feeling sad, restlessness, excessive worrying, panicky, crying, poor concentration and memory. Causes Genetic – may have a familial inheritance Biochemical – Hormonal and chemical imbalance, eg, Nor-adrenergic system Cognitive – misinterpreting physical sensation as threatening or having a serious medical condition Treatment / Help available Bio-psycho-social intervention.
Seek treatment early. See video. Depression Emergency Hotline and Other Health Helplines. Support for Individuals and Caregivers. Support for Individuals and Caregivers As an individual living with a mental illness, social inclusion plays a central role in recovery.
However, the lack of understanding about mental illness, compounded by the negative portrayals of the mentally ill in the media, often adds to the marginalisation of this misunderstood group. Without acceptance from the community, people with mental illness often face discrimination, lack social support, and find themselves isolated.
It is therefore important to build the emotional resilience and find pillars of support at home, at work and in the community. As a caregiver, one may experience various issues and problems in caring for his loved one who has mental illness. Read about Madam Wee's plight when she cared for her 80-year-old husband who had anxiety disorder and depression. The following helplines manned by key partner organisations will help both individuals and caregivers find further assistance in the community. Getting Support for Substance Abuse.