Off Centre-Mental Illness General Knowledge

I know, I know. We aren't touching on Off Centre currently. But I read an article on today's Strait Times Home section page 2. Something which I feel, is really related to Vinod and Saloma's condition plus all those social stigma mental patients are facing in Singapore these days (Some little mental health humour comics to entertain you guys)

Adapted partially from: The Straits Times (13 Feb 09) -Credits
Many people believe that all who have mental illnesses are dangerous and should be locked away. Doctors say this stigma still clings tenaciously to patients, preventing them from studying, working and socializing in the community.


What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. They have difficulty telling the difference between real and imagined experiences, to think logically, to express feelings or to behave appropriately.

Symptoms:
It is characterized by hallucinations, delusions and disorganized speech, thoughts and behaviour. These symptoms interfere with the person's ability to function normally in life. "When you have schizophrenia, you lose touch with reality," said Dr. Brian Yeo of Brian Yeo Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. "You simply cannot function, much less control of it."

What Causes It:
Changes in brain chemicals and genetic disposition can cause schizophrenia, which in turn is triggered by external factors such as stress and the environment.

Who Is Affected?
Worldwide, an estimated one in every 100 people suffers from schizophrenia. Most are young people in their late teens or early adulthood.

Treatment:
Patients require medication to normalise symptoms. They may also need rehabilitation and occupational therapy after improvement to help them reintergrate into society, such as finding a job and interacting with other people. Some patients recover completely and resume their daily activities, while most have to be on lifelong medication.

What Is Depression?
Depression is a clinical condition in which a person's low mood dominates their life, affecting daily functions. This pervasive sadness can be accompanied by a loss of appetite, insomnia, increased irritability and feelings of anxiety, hopelessness and guilt. Severe cases may even lead to suicide.

How Is It Diagnosed?
While there is no laboratory test for diagnosis, depression may be genetically related. Psychiatrists have also attributed its cause to a mixture of internal and external factors. Said Dr. Adrian Wang of Gleneagles Medical Centre: "Depression is brought about by both chemical changes in the brain and external triggers such as a stressful work life or relationship problems."

Who Is Affected:
Depression can affect any age group, from children to the elderly, but it is most common among adults in their late 20s to early 50s

Treatment:
Counselling is used in mild to moderate cases. Anti-depressant medication is prescribed for the more severe cases. Treatment durations vary, averaging 6-9 months for most cases. Recurrent depression may last longer. An Institute of Mental Health spokesman says that there has been a slight yearly increase in the number of newly diagnosed depression cases here, due to a rise in awareness of the conditions.

So, it's all about Schizophrenia and Depression. I hope the words in bold do rings a bell in your head. I'm sure there's something to talk about, linking Vinod and Saloma back into this general article found in the newspaper. I shan't do the linkage in this entry right now.

Yes, may someone please start the discussion after reading this first. Hope I'd help out a little in understanding more of Off Centre regrading the subject matter: Social Stigmas. Or whatever relevant.

Goodbye!

Signing off,
EvangelineTan;♥

P.S. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, PEOPLE!
XOXO!