From The Straits Times    |

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“About 10 percent of the population in Singapore suffer from anxiety and depressive disorders,” says Leslie Lim, a senior consultant psychiatrist at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Mixed in with our fast-paced lives, and the fact that women are at higher risk of developing it, is there something that you should be worried about? 

 

What is it

According to the department of psychiatry at SGH, “anxiety disorder” actually refers to a couple of mental conditions (such as generalised anxiety disorders (GAD) or panic disorders) that include experiencing overwhelming feelings of stress, fear and worry. It is also often tied to depression

 

How to tell if you have it

We all get those feelings every now and then, but when it reaches a point whereby there is no reason behind it, or other aspects of your life are affected – that’s when something is wrong. However, different people experience different symptoms because of the varied conditions.

 

How you get it

Often, past experiences that were traumatic or life-changing are the villains in the narrative. For some, it’s an offset of low self-confidence, a hectic lifestyle, or its simply biological.

 

What to do

The first step is always to acknowledge that you might have the condition, but accepting may be a tough feat – so keep in mind that taking this tiny step brings you closer to a more fulfilling life.  

Once you accept it and seek professional help, try out more of these baby steps, curated from my past experiences and professionals too.

 

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