How does a person manage their own anxiety disorder triggers?

Doctor's Answers 1

Thank you for asking such a fascinating question. May I share the following ideas and interventions:

Space Out Your Life Events

First, many people feel anxious when they get overwhelmed by the amount of stress that they face. Oftentimes, stress from work, family, or relationship causes them to feel anxious.

So wherever possible, it will good to space out the life events and learn to manage the stress or challenges, one at a time.

This would mean that one would need to constantly reassess one's priorities and the urgencies of the tasks at hand.

Manage Your Thoughts

Second, many people are anxious because of the thoughts that appear in their minds.

They either

  • Over-estimate the dangers or the threats in their life,
  • Under-estimate their ability to cope.

For example, a student may feel anxious as he thinks that the exam paper will be too difficult. After the exam, he realises that the questions were not difficult at all.

So if we can have a more realistic and accurate appraisal of the pending stressful event, then we will not be so anxious.

Confronting Our Fears

We have to learn how to confront our feared situations.

I have a patient who became fearful of using the road after he was injured in a road traffic accident. He started avoiding the roads but that interferes with his work and his ability to lead a normal life.

Instead, I taught him relaxation techniques and instill in him the confidence to overcome his fears so that he can lead a normal life again.

Similar Questions

Can anxiety disorder be diagnosed in a Singapore polyclinic?

Thank you for asking such an interesting question. The common types of anxiety disorder that are seen in Singapore include generalised anxiety disorder, phobic disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and others. The older version of the US classification system includes obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) under anxiety disorders. Yes, the doctors at the polyclinic are trained in psychiatry as all of them would have received teaching in psychiatry when they were medical students.

Photo of Dr Beng Yeong Ng

Answered By

Dr Beng Yeong Ng

Psychiatrist

Will polyclinics refer me to a private psychiatric clinic or a government-based one?

Great to hear that you have taken the first step in seeking help :) Here are some points that address your questions. 1. You can get a referral letter to see a psychiatrist from either a private GP, or the polyclinic. 2. Getting a referral letter from the polyclinic is the only way to get subsidised fees when seeing a psychiatrist within the goverment hospital. 3. Since you prefer to see a private psychiatrist, getting a referral letter from either a private GP or the polyclinic is fine.

Photo of Dr Shi Hui Poon

Answered By

Dr Shi Hui Poon

Psychiatrist

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