How is anxiety and depression diagnosed in Singapore?

Doctor's Answers 2

In Singapore, psychiatric conditions are diagnosed using a face to face interview and an assessment of the mental condition (what doctors called mental state examination). Many of the doctors here use the DSM 5 diagnostic criteria. For patients thought to have anxiety or depression, the psychiatrist may also order a blood test to exclude abnormalities in the thyroid hormone level.

Given your problem of going to new places and fears of social situations, the first diagnosis that comes to my mind is that of social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia). Treatments would include psychological treatment (cognitive behavioural therapy) and medications (SSRIs).

It is interesting that you asked about anxiety and depression in the same breath. Yes, the two conditions or sets of symptoms are commonly reported by patients in our local setting and also in many parts of the world. Anxiety and depression oftentimes coexist in the same person and when you see one, you see the other as well. They are just like twins!

I hope you will get the help that you want soon. Wishing you speedy recovery.

The diagnosis of mental disorders is usually based on diagnostic criteria such as the DSM 5 (published by the American Psychiatric Association) or the ICD-11 (published by the World Health Organisation).

Some of the common symptoms of depression include:

  • Low mood, most of the day, almost everyday
  • Lack of interest or pleasure in activities
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Changes in weight
  • Fatigue
  • Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt
  • Poor concentration or indecisiveness
  • Recurrent thoughts of death

Some common symptoms of generalized anxiety include:

  • Excessive anxiety and worry, which are often difficult to control
  • Feelings of restlessness or feeling on edge
  • Irritability
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Fatigue
  • Poor concentration or mind going blank
  • Muscle tension

As you can tell from the above, the symptoms of depression and anxiety can overlap. Therefore, I would highly suggest seeking psychiatric help for a formal diagnosis of depression or anxiety (or something else) as it may be confusing for the layperson to try to diagnose him or herself!

Furthermore, there are several diagnoses under the umbrella of anxiety disorders (incl. generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder etc.), and some individuals may suffer from one or more of these conditions.

A psychiatrist will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and offer personalized treatment options based on a thorough assessment involving extensive history taking, physical and mental state examination. Sometimes, certain blood investigations and/ or brain scans may be required to make a diagnosis.

Since you're currently studying in a university, you can consider seeking help from the school psychology clinic if there is one available.

All the best!

Similar Questions

Are there any alternatives to anti-depressants for severe depression and anxiety?

Thanks for your question, and I’m very sorry to hear that you are going through such a horrible time. I can only imagine how tough it must be. Before I answer further, I’m going to give the caveat that it’s next to impossible to offer advice about any psychiatric problem without seeing you face to face, or at the very least, having all the salient information about mood, sleep, suicidal ideation etc. I’m going to assume off the bat that the diagnosis of depression has been established by the doctors you’ve seen.

Photo of Dr Shi Hui Poon

Answered By

Dr Shi Hui Poon

Psychiatrist

Are there any alternatives like psychotherapy that are able to completely replace medication for anxiety and depression?

Thank you for asking this question for the benefit of everyone. It sounds that you are having a tough time, and its double whammy when the treatment gives you unbearable side effects. Unfortunately in medicine, it is often times a zero sum game. Everything seems to have its "costs" and "benefits". Fortunately for you, there are alternatives, like psychotherapy or more commonly known as talk therapy. The good side is that if it works for you, the effect is equivalent to medications, and the effects lasts way longer than medications.

Photo of Dr Paul Ang

Answered By

Dr Paul Ang

General Practitioner

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