Overview

Initial psychiatric assessment of a person typically begins with a case history and mental status examination. Physical examinations and psychological tests may be conducted.

Mental disorders are often diagnosed in accordance with clinical concepts listed in diagnostic manuals such as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the widely used Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Treatment

The combined treatment of psychiatric medication and psychotherapy has become the most common mode of psychiatric treatment in current practice.

Treatment may be delivered on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on the severity of functional impairment.

Recent Questions

Which doctor should I consult for sleeping problems?

Sleep disorders are common in many societies worldwide. Some of the signs and symptoms of sleep disorders include excessive daytime sleepiness, irregular breathing or increased movement during sleep. Other signs and symptoms include an irregular sleep and wake cycle and difficulty falling asleep. It will be good to understand the six different types of sleep disorders; the most appropriate doctor to treat your condition will depend on the type of sleep disorder that you have.

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Answered By

Dr Beng Yeong Ng

Psychiatrist

Who can I seek help from for brain fog?

Strictly speaking, brain fog is not a medical condition itself, but rather a symptom of other medical conditions. It is essentially a type of cognitive dysfunction involving memory problems, lack of mental clarity, poor concentration and/or inability to focus. “Brain fog” can make you feel like you are sleepwalking through life. People with this symptom often report feeling tired, difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, or have hazy thought processes. With brain fog, even simple tasks can become a challenge. When you can’t concentrate, mental tasks can feel like a moving target.

Photo of Dr Beng Yeong Ng

Answered By

Dr Beng Yeong Ng

Psychiatrist

Recent Sessions

Transgender Psychiatry & Gender Dysphoria

Dr Tsoi Wing Foo has an experience of 57 years in this field. Dr Tsoi developed an interest in transgender psychiatry in the 1970s, and became one of the pioneers in the local psychiatry scene, dedicated to the needs of transgender people. Since 1971, transgender patients who intend to transition must first pass a battery of psychological tests before being certified fit for hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery. He has extensive experience with transgender patients in Singapore, and has written several scientific papers and a book on the subject.

The current Department of Psychological Medicine at the National University Hospital (NUH), which is the main teaching hospital of the National University of Singapore (NUS), had its humble beginnings in 1979, mainly due to the efforts of Dr Tsoi. In that year, Tsoi, who was a former medical director of Woodbridge Hospital, Singapore's first and only mental hospital, singlehandedly set up the Department of Psychological Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS) at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH). The department gradually expanded and other psychiatrists subsequently joined it.

Common Mental Health Disorders In Singapore

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Dr Tommy Tan was a senior consultant at the Institute of Mental Health Singapore. He graduated from the National University of Singapore in 1987. He trained in general adult psychiatry and liaison psychiatry (psychiatry in general hospital) at the National University Hospital Singapore and the New Charing Cross Hospital London. He has a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry from the National University of Singapore and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Singapore.

Dr Tan provides care and treatment for patients with mental disorders and other patients with psychological problems caused by their medical illnesses.

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