Is Schizophrenia Curable? Understanding the Nuances of Treatment and Recovery
Introduction Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental health disorder that affects a person’s thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self, and behaviour. Despite significant advancements in medical science, the question remains: Is schizophrenia curable? While some may use the term “cure,” it is important to understand that treatment options exist that allow many patients…
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Stress in Children and Youths
During this season of PSLE and national exams, it’s crucial to recognize stress factors in children and youth and offer them support. In this article, we’ll highlight some typical reasons for stress and explore ways to assist our children and youths. 1) What are some of the most common causes of stress in children these days? Children…
A Review of Mood-Stabilizing Medications in Pregnancy: Risks, Benefits, and Recommendations
Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that requires long-term management, often with mood-stabilizing medications. However, the use of these medications during pregnancy presents a challenge due to the potential risks to the developing fetus. One such medication, sodium valproate, is associated with a significantly higher risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) and other developmental issues.…
Anxiety vs Anxiety Disorder: When should I seek Help?
The Difference Between “Anxiety” and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Anxiety is a ubiquitous or common emotion that everyone will feel from time to time. This is a normal human response to stress and when the stressful issue or event is over, the anxiety will go away. Anxiety can be felt i) cognitively, ie worries or…
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ADHD: Are There Alternatives to Stimulant Treatment?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Evidence-based medication treatment for ADHD in children and adults are as follows: For children: Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly used medications for ADHD in children. These medications help improve attention, reduce hyperactivity,…
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When Men Cry: Understanding Common Psychopathology in Men.
1) What are the most common mental health issues affecting men, and do you have statistics for the percentage of Singaporean men who are affected by these issues? Common mental health issues for men include Depression, Generalised Anxiety Disorders (GAD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD) and Alcohol Use Disorder. Overall about one in 16 men will…
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Social Anxiety, When It is not Just Shyness
1. What are the signs of social anxiety? Individuals with social anxiety or social phobia will have serious anxiety when having to interact with others, being observed or when performing in front of others. Kids will try to avoid these situations and may express themselves by crying, tantrums, clinging to their parents, and inability to…
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Burnout in Medical Professionals
What is a burnout? What are its symptoms? Is it considered a mental illness? “Burnout” was coined in the 70s by psychologist, Herbert Freudenberger. To date there is no scientific definition for burnout. It is general description of loss of interest and motivation towards work, following a long period of excessive stress. The sufferer complains…
Sleep – A FAQ
Do we really need to be making sleep such a priority? Is it really all its cracked up to be? From scientific studies, we know that our body and mind need an average of about seven to eight hours of sleep. However, sleep is not something we can control but good sleep habits or sleep…
Medications for Anxiety Disorders
Like Depression, Anxiety Disorders occurs commonly in the general population. Studies have shown that as high as one in six people will suffer from an episode of an Anxiety Disorder once in their lifetime. Anxiety disorder refers to the following psychiatric conditions: Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Panic Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Social Anxiety Obsessive…
Insomnia – FAQs
What are the main causes for the low quantity/quality sleep in Singapore? Do some of the factors include the use of technology and psychological problems? This may differ in different age group. In teens and youth, it is a natural phenomenon that they tend to sleep later, ie. past midnight. However, they are still expected…
Depression: Burden of Disease
Excerpts from a recent interview: 1) It has been projected that depression will be the 2nd leading cause of disease by 2020. Why are we seeing this increase in cases of depression worldwide? It has been postulated that modernisation is correlated with an increase in the prevalence of depression. This may be related to modern…
Four Differences Between Depression and Burnout
Many a times, clinical depression can be triggered by stresses at work. It is no wonder then that people often wonder what the differences between depression and burnout from work are. 1. Depression, A Diagnosis. Burnout, A Description The biggest difference is that clinical depression or major depressive disorder is a formal psychiatric diagnosis whilst…
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ADHD Medications Cheatsheet
The use of medications revolutionised the treatment of ADHD /ADD. Today, international consensus often recommends medication as the first line of treatment for ADHD / ADD in patients above the age of 6 years of age. This is a introduction to ADHD medications or a ADHD Medications Cheatsheet for your quick reference. You can also visit…
Pharmacogenomics – Tailoring Medicine
Pharmacogenomics can be understood as the science of how genes interact with medication in a person’s body to affect its response. We know that every individual is different and would respond differently when given the same medication. Some may need a higher dose. Some may need medication of a different mechanism. In the past, we…
Psychiatrist vs Psychologist
In Singapore, many people do not know the differences between psychiatrist vs psychologist. What do Singapore psychiatrist do? How are they different from psychologist? Even healthcare professionals sometimes get confused between psychiatrist and psychologist. Let me start by explaining what Psychiatry is as that was where it all started from…… What is Psychiatry? A Historical…