Evidence-Based Mental Health Disorder Diagnosis: How It’s Done from a Clinical Perspective
For individuals that are taking the first step to seek help from mental health professionals, it is natural that they may be concerned with the possibility of a misdiagnosis, or perhaps an overdiagnosis. With the pre-existing stigmatisation of mental health disorders,...
My partner may be a Porn Addict – What should I do?
Written by: Andrew da Roza, Addictions Therapist, Sex Addiction Specialist With the introduction of the fast speed Internet, a new addiction was born – Internet porn addiction. One client who has fallen down the “Rabbit Hole” of porn addiction reports: “I saw porn...
How Do You Find The Right Therapist For You
For many individuals, therapy is a rather intense and personal topic, and it could have taken them a lot of courage to finally seek the help that they need. Keeping this in mind, it is exceptionally crucial that one finds the right therapist, for there’s a...
Addictions in the Digital Age: Technology – The Accelerator of both the Problem and the Solution
Written by: Andrew da Roza, Addictions Therapist, Sex Addiction Specialist Ever since people first crushed and fermented grapes, the dark hand of alcoholism has been present. When the first games of chance and competition were born - so too was the addiction to...
Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosis & Treatment
What comes to mind when someone mentions alcohol? For many, alcohol is often associated with the temporary avoidance of daily struggles. Whether or not we have the habit to drink, it is a known fact that people may tend to have “blackouts” whenever they’re really...
Drinking & Alcohol-Related Harm Among Young Adults Especially Since COVID Measures
With economic growth and increased globalisation, alcohol consumption generally increases as it gets more affordable and popular as a drink for celebratory or social occasions, and even for stress-relief. This same trend has been observed in Singapore - where the per...
Gaming Addiction: What It Is and How Can You Self-Regulate?
Predictive algorithms, the creation of alternate realities in which we are unlimited by the constraints of the real world we live in - such methods are extensively practiced by the gaming industry to draw players in. Gaming is undeniably a popular and widely-adopted...
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and When Do You Need Treatment?
What is Obsessive-compulsive Disorder? Think of the following scenario: you have friends over at your place and you serve them drinks. Before they can place their cups on your beautiful coffee table, you exclaim and dart out coasters underneath the ice-cold glasses...
Psychological Testing (Part 1)
Written by: S C Anbarasu, Senior Clinical Psychologist Psychological evaluation is often helpful in understanding the strengths and challenges an individual may have in their cognitive, behavioural, learning and socio-emotional functioning. At Promises Healthcare, we...
APBAM 2020 : Tobacco Harm Reduction – Myths & Reality
According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco kills more than 8 million people worldwide each year, and is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. But contrary to popular belief that smokers are “uneducated regarding it’s harmful...
Treat Smokers with Compassion – Why Quit Smoking is so tough
Written by: Andrew da Roza, Addictions Therapist To non-smokers and those who have an occasional cigarette at a party or outside a bar, it is baffling why smokers just can't simply quit. What's the big deal? If you think this, then the conclusion may be: "well they...
Burnout and How to Heal from It
It is an undeniable reality that life, in general, is busy. With long work hours and bills to pay, there are so many things going on that we must and are expected to do. With the increase in pressures and demands in daily life, it is very common for people to feel...
Building Trust in Relationships
Scientists believe we are essentially wired to connect with other people, to socialise and build relationships with others. Indeed, we are all a profoundly social species as our drive to connect with others is embedded in our biology and evolutionary history. But what...
Overwhelmed At Work?: Demystifying Executive Functioning Deficits
Written by Dr B. Malavika, Psychological & Educational Therapist Have you met Michael recently? He's the bright, young, dynamic person at our office… I always thought of him as the person who’s the life of the party, and he genuinely seems to care for his...
Chronic Stress Management: Why Am I Feeling Exhausted All The Time?
Are you feeling tired most of the time despite having a good night’s sleep? Are you constantly feeling low energy and unproductive? These are just a few of the typical symptoms pointing towards unhealthy levels of stress. Constantly feeling worn out could be an alarm...
The link between Anxiety and Alcohol Use; and Implications for Treatment and Early Intervention Especially In Youths
Alcohol. A beverage that many people enjoy drinking; be it for socialisation or as an escape from reality. However, it is also a beverage that can harm your health and adversely affect many lives. Indeed, alcohol abuse has become increasingly rampant, where it is one...
How to Build Positive Relationships
Strong social connections are vital to our mental and physical wellbeing - they help us navigate stressors and give us the courage to overcome the challenges that we face. Positive relationships are pivotal for an individual’s happiness, productivity, and form the...
What is Depression & How to seek help?
Depression has been portrayed extensively in pop culture and media, from R.E.M.’s hit song “Everybody Hurts”, to the television series “13 Reasons Why”. The phrase “I’m so depressed” is thrown around casually when someone has had a bad day or when they can’t get their...
Bipolar Disorder: You Too Can Walk In Recovery
With the recent revelation of American rapper, Kanye West, being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, the condition has been brought into the spotlight. The term ‘Bipolar’ (meaning “two poles”) signifies the polar opposites of emotional highs and lows. As the name...
The Online Environment (Internet) and Suicide
Thanks to the Internet, a global communications network, thousands of host servers worldwide are connected, making instantaneous and interactive sharing of information effortless and uncomplicated. But is the ease of access to information necessarily a good thing?...
Emotional Self-Regulation: The difference between having a controlling behaviour and having self-mastery
For someone who struggles with emotional self-regulation, what does having a “breakthrough” mean? A “breakthrough” could mean coming to a point of realisation and acceptance of one’s mental state, and taking a step forward to change his/her seemingly challenging...
SIBLING RIVALRY: Why it happens and how parents can respond to it
Written by: Dr Mark Toh, Consultant Clinical Psychologist Sibling rivalry is a conflict between brothers and sisters that go beyond simple disagreements between two or more parties because of individual differences and different opinions on a subject. Starting from as...
How to be a Mental Health Supporter to Your Friend
“I’m depressed”, “I need help”. How do you react when a friend of yours approaches you, hoping to seek help and comfort? In a society that unfortunately stigmatises mental health issues, many of us are most likely incapable of tackling such situations appropriately....
An Interview with Dr Mark Toh: The Effects of COVID-19 On Dreams
Amrita Kaur, a journalist from the Straits times interviewed Dr Mark Toh, Consultant Clinical Psychologist about the effects of COVID-19 on dreams. Parts of the following interview was published in the Straits Times on 13 July 2020. Here’s the interview...
Managing Grief
There isn’t consensus in the scientific community about whether Kubler-Ross’ five stages of grief is rooted in empiricism. Although much vaunted in popular culture, if you’ve experienced grief and resolved it in your own way, you’ll know that grief is an organic...
Mental Health Awareness Panel Discussion feat. Dr Rajesh Jacob & S C Anbarasu
On May 16th 2020, Dr Rajesh Jacob, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist & S C Anbarasu, Senior Clinical Psychologist, were invited to be a part of a Public Education Talk: 'Mental Health Awareness Panel Discussion' by the 'Migrant Workers Singapore' group - a migrant...
Religion, Spirituality and Psychiatry
Written by: Dr Rajesh Jacob, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Promises Healthcare The basic characteristics of all religions are similar. There is a firm belief in a higher unseen power who is the supreme master. Religion and Spirituality, Is There A...
What is the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?
The idea of becoming mentally incapacitated is often so frightful that most people simply avoid the issue. Discounting the various other ways someone can lose control of their mental faculties, in Singapore, 1 in 10 people above 60 will succumb to dementia and 3.6% of...
Demystifying Play therapy: Play ought to be taken more seriously
Written by: Dr B. Malavika, Psychological & Educational Therapist Play is a critical part of a child's development from birth. It boosts healthy brain development that is conducive for physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. It encourages imagination and...
Mental Wellness during #CBLite – Pushing Through The Phases
Written by: Joachim Lee, Senior Psychotherapist, Promises Healthcare When the ‘circuit-breaker’ measures were put in place, there is no doubt that our lives have been drastically impacted. Even travelling to work or school - what was once considered a part of our...