What is a Psychological Disorder?

Understanding Your Mental Health – Institute of Mental Health "There is no health without mental health" Mental health is an integral and essential component of health. The World Health Organisation constitution states: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." 10 Common Psychological Disorders-Infographic Contrary to the popular belief that mental disorders are rare, depression alone affects about 400 million people in the world. Mental illness is a medical condition which impacts a person’s ability to think, feel and function properly. It is often difficult to pinpoint the factors behind mental disorders. Research suggests a combination of multiple factors may give rise to impaired psychological abilities- family history, genetics, environment, experiences, lifestyle, brain structure are among the many likely factors. Unlike physical illnesses, psychological disorders are often misunderstood, hugely neglected and in some cases difficult to diagnose. Mental disorders not only disrupt the sufferer’s daily life but also severely affects the people around him/her.

OCD one of the most common mental disorders in Singapore SINGAPORE: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of most common mental health conditions here, according to findings from a nationwide study released on Tuesday (Dec 11). The disorder affected one in 28 people in their lifetime, making it the third-most prevalent condition after major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse. The illness is commonly characterised by recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images, and when severe, impedes a person's ability to function.

Causes What are the causes of mental illness? Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. What Biological Factors Are Involved in Mental Illness? Some mental illnesses have been linked to abnormal functioning of nerve cell circuits or pathways that connect particular brain regions. Nerve cells within these brain circuits communicate through chemicals called neurotransmitters.

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? How do you decide what's normal and what's abnormal?

Mental illness more prevalent among young adults, OCD one of top disorders in S’pore SINGAPORE — Young adults are most at risk of suffering from mental disorders in Singapore, the latest Singapore Mental Health Study found. Those aged between 18 and 34 are more likely to have experienced bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and obsessive compulsive disorder, it said in a report on the findings, which were released on Tuesday (Dec 11). Other socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, education and income status are also associated with the prevalence of mental disorders. For example, alcohol abuse is more prevalent among the lower-educated, compared with those who have received tertiary education. Dr Mythily Subramaniam, the co-principal investigator of the study, said that this is congruent with universal findings, because those with lower education may have “poor coping mechanisms” and may not understand the dangers of alcohol addiction. The director of research at IMH added: “But it gets worse over time.

A List of Psychological Disorders Anxiety disorders are those that are characterized by excessive and persistent fear, worry, anxiety and related behavioral disturbances.5 Fear involves an emotional response to a threat, whether that threat is real or perceived. Anxiety involves the anticipation that a future threat may arise. Types of anxiety disorders include: Psychiatrist Singapore difficulty falling asleep, waking too early, tossing and turning in bed, worrying about sleep, easily tired the next day All sufferers of insomnia and poor sleep can tell us how frustrating and anxious it must be to not be able to fall asleep. Tossing and turning in bed causes the anxiety to become worse as one starts to imagine how terrible the next day will be if he or she is unable to sleep soon.

6 common mental disorders affecting Singaporeans 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

1 in 7 people in Singapore have experienced a mental disorder – and some millennials are more susceptible to mood and alcohol-related ones, Business Insider - Business Insider Singapore Around one in seven people in Singapore have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. Singapore Press Holdings A study has found that more people in Singapore have experienced mental disorders at some point in their lives. The 2016 study found that one in seven people in Singapore (13.9 per cent) have experienced specific mood, anxiety, or alcohol use disorders in their lifetime. 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.

13.1 Psychological Disorder: What Makes a Behaviour Abnormal? – Introduction to Psychology – 1st Canadian Edition Learning Objectives Define “psychological disorder” and summarize the general causes of disorder.Explain why it is so difficult to define disorder, and how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is used to make diagnoses.Describe the stigma of psychological disorders and their impact on those who suffer from them. The focus of this chapter and the next is, to many people, the heart of psychology.