Psychiatric treatment
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Mabbe i go post one topic every week till someone get treatment
Psychosis
Psychosis is not a specific illness, rather it is a syndrome. The central characteristic of psychosis is a loss of reality testing, resulting in some degree of impairment of judgement. The psychotic state is evident by the presence of disturbance of perception, such as hallucinations or disturbance of thinking, such as disordered thinking and delusions.
Even before the onset of the florid symptom characteristics of psychosis, a person may show some disturbances during the pre-psychotic or prodromal phase. Some of these symptoms include:
Perceptual disturbances such as feelings that things around have changed
Mood disturbances such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, irritability and anger
Cognitive disturbances such as poor attention and concentration, difficulties in thinking, suspiciousness and unusual beliefs
Behavioural disturbances such as change in sleep and appetite patterns, social withdrawal, loss of interest in things, deterioration in occupation and academic functioning
Different people will probably interpret these disturbances differently. Some may see them as symptoms of stress, especially if the changes are associated with some stressful life events. Others may see them as part of the personÂ’s personality. Cultural influences may also play a part in how the symptoms of psychosis might be interpreted. Psychotic symptoms are often attributed to supernatural causes rather than biological causes. The personal understanding of the disturbances will determine the help seeking behaviour. Even for those who suspect that it may be a mental condition, the stigma of seeking psychiatric help may deter them from consulting a psychiatrist. It is not surprising that there is often a long delay, sometimes even a few years, before the person reaches professional help.
General practitioners and counsellors may be the first contact point for the person or his family to raise concerns about the personÂ’s change in behaviour and functioning. It is important to have a high index of suspicion in order to pick up cases of possible psychosis and refer them early for further evaluation and treatment. This is especially so if the person exhibiting prodromal symptoms has these associated risk factors:
A positive family history of schizophrenia or psychotic disorder, especially among first degree relatives
Vulnerable personalities such as those with schizotypal personalities
History of occasional brief symptoms of hallucinations or delusions
Early Psychosis Screening Clinics
One of the components of the programme is to provide psychiatric assessments for individuals who have symptoms of psychosis or possible psychosis. The initial assessment is done by a psychiatrist, together with a case manager, who may be a psychologist, a medical social worker or a nurse.
If the individual is accepted into the programme, the case manager and psychiatrist will continue to take care of the patient. Besides medication, counselling, psychoeducation, psychotherapy, patient support groups and family support/psychoeducation are integral parts of our treatment.
Currently, we run our Early Psychosis Screening Clinics at the following locations:
Institute of Mental Health
Tel: 63892200
Neuroscience Clinic (National University Hospital)
Tel: 67724850
Behavioural Medicine Clinic (Health Promotional Board Building)
Tel: 64353879
Behavioural Medicine Clinic (Viking Road)
Tel: 64744872
EPIP also maintains a hotline (DID 9017 8212) between 9 am to 5 pm, Mon to Fri. The duty case manager will make a quick assessment over the phone and arrange for an assessment at one of the outpatient clinics if necessary.
Besides outpatient clinics, we have inpatient services at Woodbridge Hospital and National University Hospital. We run the various support groups and day activities at Club EPIP in Woodbridge Hospital. -
yes i'm SICK. i know. i know...
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walau, u not under this category lah..me later go post something on drinking addiction....Originally posted by I-like-flings(m):yes i'm SICK. i know. i know... 
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i got all the sickness and bad point u can find on earth lah.......i fit into any catogory lah.....Originally posted by laurence82:walau, u not under this category lah..me later go post something on drinking addiction.... 
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har nah, i muz call any of those numbers la, k?
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We ask FOS plan 1 outin we visit dem 2geder lor
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okie, lets go together holding hands. lalalallalalal~
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mi wanna hold hands tooOriginally posted by Ito_^:okie, lets go together holding hands. lalalallalalal~ -
Originally posted by sgboy2004:mi wanna hold hands too
Den lets hope FOS sees dis & do sumdin abt d outin lor....Originally posted by Ito:okie, lets go together holding hands. lalalallalalal~ -
remember wear skirt
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How arh how arh, what if this particular rejected loser hypocrite lose his wallet and get depressed over it, shld i send him to IMH?
From IMH
Everyone has felt sad at one time or another. Usually it is due to a disappointment, frustration or losing someone. Such sadness is normal. Time heals, the mood lifts and people continue to get on with their lives.
But in some people, depression can be so severe that it dominates their lives, preventing them from coping as they are used to. Depression of this degree is an illness and needs treatment.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?
The following are the most common symptoms of depression. If you experience 5 or more of these symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, you are probably depressed.
Persistent sadness or feeling down or gloomy
A loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, such as socializing with friends and family, most of the day, nearly every day.
Loss of appetite and loss of weight.
Insomnia. For some people, on the contrary, they find that they are sleeping more than normal.
Feeling restless and agitated more easily.
Feeling tired and having little energy.
Unable to concentrate and think clearly and thereby becoming indecisive.
Feeling of worthlessness and quilt
Recurrent thoughts of death
HOW COMMON IS DEPRESSION?
Depression has been called the “common cold of mental health problem”. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently ranked depression as the leading cause of morbidity in developing nations in the next century. Lifetime occurrence rate is between 3% to 6%, and it is twice as common in women as it is in men. It commonly begin in people aged between 20 and 40 years, although it can occur in children or older people. Research has shown that it is commoner in people with a family history of depression.
YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME?
The common misconception is that depression is a moral weakness or a character flaw. Many a time, people have told depressed people to just ‘snap out of it’. Depression is a medical illness with biological roots. It cannot be wiled or wished away.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION?
Some types of depression run in families, indicating hereditary or genetic factors. In some families, major depression seems to occur generation after generation.
Studies have also suggested some biological component in depression. It may be associated with having too little or too much chemical in the brain. Certain medications have mood altering properties. Antidepressant medication act by altering and normalizing the biochemical imbalances in the brain.
Life events such as loss of job, retirement, divorce, death of a loved one or moving to a new house can precipitate a depressive illness. Social circumstances also play a part. If we are alone, have few or no friends, suffer from a chronic illness, them we may be more vulnerable to depression.
People with life threatening or long-term physical illness such as cancer, stroke, arthritis or heart disease are also more vulnerable to depression.
Personality may also play a part in depression. Some of us are more vulnerable than others because of the individual make-up or early life experiences.
Every often, a combination of genetic, psychological and environmental factors is involved in the onset of depression.
The good news is that whatever the cause, depression is treatable.
HOW CAN DEPRESSION BE TREATED?
Treatment consists of drug (antidepressant medication) and non-drug therapy. Usually a combined treatment is best: medication to gain relatively quick relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life stresses.
ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATION?
All antidepressant medications are equally effective but they have different side effects. The most often used antidepressants include tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, lithium and selective serotonin inhibitos (SSRI)
Be patient when you take the medication. Antidepressant medications do not begin working the day you take them but your mood will improve after one to two weeks. However, you may notice some improvement on the first day, especially in your sleep and feeling less tense and anxious. They are not addictive.
You can eat a normal diet (if not, your doctor will tell you). The medications are compatible with painkillers, antibiotics and contraceptives. However, you should avoid alcohol as the medication and alcohol combined can make you too drowsy.
Do not stop the medication once you start to feel better as you may relapse into depression again. You should discuss this with your doctor and let him advise you when to stop.
Like all medications, antidepressants have some side effects, though these are usually mild and tend to wear off as treatment goes on.
Some side effects of antidepressant medication:
Dry mouth
Constipation
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Nausea and stomach discomfort
NON-DRUG THERAPY
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Psychotherapy involves talking things through with a trained counsellor or therapist. Talking to someone who can really listen and understand you without passing judgement can be a tremendous relief. You learn how to solve problems and cope with life stresses better.
EXERCISE
Exercise not only improves your health but it also gives you a sense of accomplishment. Endorphins (‘feel good’hormones) are released during exercise and this can elevate your mood.
RELAXATION THERAPY
This involves deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Support groups offer fellowship and you get to hear first hand accounts of how other with depression, like you, have learn to cope. Presently SAMH, IMH and the Behavioural Medicine Clinic at IMH run support groups. The group at IMH is a psychoeducation group, i.e. you learn about the depressive illness and methods of coping.
ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY (ECT)
ECT is only indicated for those with severe depression who have not responded to treatment or are highly suicidal. It involves giving a light general anaesthetic and an electric current is passed through the brain for few seconds. The whole procedure takes only about 15 minutes and the patient is only aware of having gone to sleep.
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF?
DonÂ’t bottle things up. Try to talk to someone close to you. It helps to have a good cry and talk things through.
DonÂ’t set yourself unrealistic or difficult goals. Do what you can.
Do something – do some light activities or get out of the house for some exercise and some fresh air. It helps to take your mind off things.
Eat a balanced diet, although you may not feel like eating.
Do not drown your sorrows in alcohol. Alcohol actually depresses the mood. It may give immediate relief but this is temporary and you end up more depressed. It is also bad for your health.
DonÂ’t despair: remind yourself that many other people have suffered from depression and have becomes better. You will eventually come out of it, just like they did.
LIVING WITH A DEPRESSED PERSON – HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Get him to see a doctor so that he can be diagnosed and treated.
Offer emotional support. Spend time and encourage him to open up. Offer a listening ear.
Encourage him to continue with treatment. Reassure him that he will get better.
If the depressed person has mentioned not wanting to live or suicide, it is important to tell his therapist.
WHERE CAN YOU GET HELP?
If you, or someone you know is unable to cope with depression, professional help is available.
Institute of Mental Health Clinic: 6389 2200
Behavioural Medicine Clinic (Health Promotion Board): 6435 3879
Behavioural Medicine Clinic (Alexandra Clinic): 6762 4166
Child Guidance Clinic: 6435 3878/9
Seek treatment early. DonÂ’t suffer unnecessarily. Help is available and effective.
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION
For appointments call 6389 2200 or fax 6385 1075.
Clinic hours: Monday to Friday - 8am to 5pm
Saturday - 8am to 1pm
INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
We endeavour to promote mental health through the provision of person-focused service that is integrated, comprehensive, accessible, cost-effective and by pursuing continuous learning and research. -
i think you really need to seek treatment asap soon, since you know so much of the information of IMH?
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Let me quote from someone else..
"what happened har? He lost his wallet, and his voice sounded shaky" -
bet one day if someone tell u she dun want you, you will go and die!
get a life and stop being a stalker of interfering others' private life! -
Who is the one that may DISRUPT other people private life?
i will go and die..from laffing... -
omg! i think i shall leave you alone. can't stand pple who goes and bark around. see you! go kiss more aSSes if possible, you gonna need it!
cry to ur mommy! boohoo! -
bye loser, dont come back...
If want to settle things, at least be courteous hor, no need start topic to lure people then admit it he want to provoke people
worse, please dont keep going sexbox say a lot of things, bad thing is that sexbox cannot be readily recorded, some people do that to deny they been saying foolish things.. -
i may have lost in a battle but i have not lost in a war yet.
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isn't keeping track of shoutbox history a part of your job?Originally posted by laurence82:bye loser, dont come back...
If want to settle things, at least be courteous hor, no need start topic to lure people then admit it he want to provoke people
worse, please dont keep going sexbox say a lot of things, bad thing is that sexbox cannot be readily recorded, some people do that to deny they been saying foolish things..
well, we seen the person recording SB and doing editing and post for others to see. i wonder what moral value does he has beside busying doing projects at sim.
too bad i cannot be boliao to hide myself online and stalking others at the forum. -
thats why i say u like to continue making this childish personal attacks, even tracing and commenting what i do, isnt that stalking too?
hypocrise call other hypocrise.... -
there we are, a superhero who accusing others of what is his misdoings.Originally posted by laurence82:
thats why i say u like to continue making this childish personal attacks, even tracing and commenting what i do, isnt that stalking too?
hypocrise call other hypocrise.... 
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and i shall continue to laff at ur reasoning..study too much at ntu issit..mabbe nus people can do better.. -
not forgeting of making childish personal attacks, even tracing and commenting what i do.Originally posted by laurence82:
thats why i say u like to continue making this childish personal attacks, even tracing and commenting what i do, isnt that stalking too?
hypocrise call other hypocrise.... -
tsk tsk tsk tsk!Originally posted by laurence82:
and i shall continue to laff at ur reasoning..study too much at ntu issit..mabbe nus people can do better.. -
Originally posted by laurence82:
all of the above applies to me...for more than 3 weeks liao...
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?
The following are the most common symptoms of depression. If you experience 5 or more of these symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, you are probably depressed.
Persistent sadness or feeling down or gloomy
A loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, such as socializing with friends and family, most of the day, nearly every day.
Loss of appetite and loss of weight.
Insomnia. For some people, on the contrary, they find that they are sleeping more than normal.
Feeling restless and agitated more easily.
Feeling tired and having little energy.
Unable to concentrate and think clearly and thereby becoming indecisive.
Feeling of worthlessness and quilt
especially the parts in bold...
my grandma.....has depression wor..
HOW COMMON IS DEPRESSION?
Research has shown that it is commoner in people with a family history of depression.