Journals

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common mental disorder which typically starts early in life, in the teenage years or younger adults.

The barking of the dog represents obsessions, which are recurrent, intrusive and anxious thoughts or urges.

When we are emotionally invested in a relationship, the grief we feel from losing that person, whether due to death or separation, can be overwhelming.

Sleep is restorative for both the mind and body. After a good night’s rest, we look better, feel better, and make better decisions. Unfortunately, not everyone gets quality sleep every night.

Among its many trials, managing a child’s emotional meltdown is one of the greatest challenges many parents face; it’s an inevitable part of the parenting journey.

If anxiety frequently shows up and persists over long periods, you likely already know that managing it can feel like a long journey. Anxiety is experienced differently by each person, and what works for someone

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that belongs to a group of disorders known as psychotic disorders. It is characterised by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking or behaviour.

ADHD is a neurobiological condition that affects concentration, impulse control, and executive functioning. It’s not a disease but rather a natural variation in brain structure and function.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are common mental health conditions. They often begin during adolescence, although young children can also be affected, particularly during stressful transitions.

For parents of children with autism, managing their child’s needs can often feel like a constant game of catch-up. Just as they come to terms with their child’s diagnosis, they are faced with the challenge

Your child might be going through transitions or facing challenging situations in life. If they seem moody on most days and don’t behave like their usual self, and you notice they’re not engaging much.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex and multifaceted central nervous system (or neurodevelopmental) disorder.

Ms Siti Mariam, Principal Therapist, and Dr Victor Kwok, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, shed light on the prevalence, symptoms, and treatment of plane phobia, commonly known as aerophobia.

In Part 7 of our series on ADHD in Children and Teenagers, Senior Consultant Psychiatrists Dr Victor Kwok and Dr Tay Kai Hong discuss non-stimulant options for ADHD medication.

In Part 6 of our series on ADHD in Children and Teenagers, Senior Consultant Psychiatrists Dr Victor Kwok and Dr Tay Kai Hong discuss the safety, efficacy, and possible side effects of ADHD medications.

In Part 5 of our series on ADHD in Children and Teenagers, Senior Consultant Psychiatrists Dr Victor Kwok and Dr Tay Kai Hong discuss the different options for treating ADHD.

In Part 4 of our series on ADHD in Children and Teenagers, Senior Consultant Psychiatrists Dr Victor Kwok and Dr Tay Kai Hong explain the difference between seeing a Psychiatrist and Psychologist for ADHD Treatment.

In the third installment of our series on ADHD in Children and Teenagers, Senior Consultant Psychiatrists Dr Victor Kwok and Dr Tay Kai Hong return to answer questions about diagnosing ADHD.

In Part 2 of our series on ADHD in Children and Teenagers, Senior Consultant Psychiatrists Dr Victor Kwok and Dr Tay Kai Hong answer questions regarding ADHD and Academics.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects over 1 in 20 (5%-7%) kids. In Part 1 of our series on ADHD in Children and Teenagers, Senior Consultant Psychiatrists Dr Victor Kwok and Dr Tay Kai Hong

In Singapore and other countries, such as the United States, there is a growing call for social media and tech companies to safeguard the well-being of young people. Given their tender age and ongoing brain

In this article, we interviewed Mr Ryan Huang, visiting Educational Psychologist and expert in Autism, Intellectual Disability and ADHD, on the impact of social media on neuro-atypical children and youth, and how their specific conditions

In most cases, tics may resolve on their own, but in some cases, tics may persist and have a significant negative impact on daily functioning, including learning, emotional, and social/family relationships.

This International Women’s Day, Ms Siti Mariam and Ms Joanne Goh, Principal Therapists at Private Space, share their challenges as women working in the mental health field.

CBT is the most widely used therapy for mental health disorders, including the treatment of anxiety and depression. Research has shown it to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder,

If you’ve delved into information about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), you might have encountered discussions on various themes or subtypes associated with this condition. Obsessive fears and compulsions are often categorised into themes such as those

Having secure and healthy relationships gives us meaning and enrich our lives deeply. Yet, we all know too well that relationships are not all sunshine and rainbows and can bring deep hurt and pain too.

While quarrels may be unavoidable, it is important for couples to have effective communication to repair any damage to the relationship after each conflict. In part two of this series, we will be exploring effective

Having secure and healthy relationships gives us meaning and enrich our lives deeply. Yet, we all know too well that relationships are not all sunshine and rainbows and can bring deep hurt and pain too.

School refusal is a common behaviour among children and youth of school-going age. While it is a behaviour, it would be helpful to reframe it as an emotional response to external stressor(s) and an underdeveloped

Do you still remember the New Year resolutions you made at the start of the year? Are they about quitting social media addiction on popular platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook? Or perhaps being more

If your child or loved one is facing one or more of the above concerns, do get an assessment by a qualified professional to obtain a clear diagnosis, enabling helping professionals to provide the right

The Christmas and Lunar New Year holiday season is soon approaching. While it can be a time of celebrations and social gathering, for many, the anticipation and build-up of activities and events means increasing anxiety

Food plays a crucial role in our mental health. Not only do we spend a significant amount of time on meals and grocery shopping, but we also derive essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

When a young person experiences highly distressing incidents in their life, it can pose a significant threat to their physical or psychological well-being. While most young individuals are resilient and capable of processing their emotions

For the young, social media is an important part of their lifestyle. It serves as a platform for self-expression, enabling them to garner peer approval. Additionally, the content they share – videos, jokes, and messages

A client sought counseling after discovering her husband’s infidelity. She posed questions like, “Should I get a divorce?” and “Can my marriage survive?” These are common queries following the revelation of an affair.

Family therapy is designed to improve family relationships and communication. It helps family members gain insight into the impact of their behaviours and learn to support each other through difficult periods. In this article, our

In this short Q&A series, we address commonly asked questions about depression treatment, discuss the effectiveness of medications vs therapy for depression, and explore what other treatment options may be helpful.

Seeking help for psychological distress may be a difficult but necessary first step towards recovery. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists are mental health professionals who can guide you in this journey.

Sometimes, we get curious about what has happened. You are there for your friend, and not to satisfy your curiousity. If your friend wants to share, let him and if he doesn’t, just be present

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impact, uprooting lives all over the globe. Due to disrupted routines, social isolation, quarantine measures, health worries and the looming economic recession, there has been a rise in anxiety,

Are you experiencing higher levels of anxiety than usual? Ever wondered what are the different types of anxiety disorders, and how they differ from one another? Learn about the various types of anxiety disorders, one

The prevalence of mental illness in modern day society continues to rise. For every person who seek professional help, there could be a dozen who are quietly suffering. In this article, our Wellness Editor discuss

Childhood and adolescence are joyful, painful, and messy all at once—and they are also the times when people are most vulnerable to eating disorders.

Eating disorders are psychological illnesses involving unhealthy eating thoughts and beliefs.

Eating disorders are common but serious medical conditions that often start in teenage years. Dr Victor Kwok, psychiatrist and medical doctor, explains why the pandemic may have resulted in more cases. He will also discuss

How do ADHD present differently in men and women? What are the implications of these differences, and why is it important for doctors and the public to be more aware of this? Dr Tay Kai

Stress is no stranger to us. We experience it when placed in difficult situations, and while it is usually thought of negatively, good stress motivates us to push ourselves and get specific tasks done. In

Stress is an inevitable part of life. It is important for us to learn how to be resilient when faced with stress at different stages of our lives. Resilience is the ability to positively adapt

DSWPD is a type of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder with a pattern of delayed sleep onset and wake times. They are often called “night owls” as their biological clock is set to a later time.

Social phobia (also known as social anxiety disorder) is characterised by an intense fear of being negatively judged by others in social settings. Persons with social phobia are excessively worried about being embarrassed or humiliated.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects approximately 4.4% of adults1. It was previously believed that children with ADHD outgrow the condition as their brains “mature” with age, but it is now known that up

The data captured by these tech devices are objective and clinically relevant. Such data may relate to sleep patterns, activity levels and time spent at home. An elevated and fluctuating resting heart rate may be

Imagine this. Its 2am in the morning. You have been tossing and turning in bed for the past 3 hours, trying hard to fall asleep, but your mind just refuses to shut off. You find

Psychiatrist Dr Tay Kai Hong talks about what constitutes a psychiatric / psychological condition and explains his 5Ds framework. How do we differentiate normal stress from a disorder? And when should we seek help for

Psychiatrist Dr Tay Kai Hong talks about what constitutes a psychiatric / psychological condition and explains his 5Ds framework. How do we differentiate normal stress from a disorder? And when should we seek help for

People with depression usually have several of the above symptoms. A diagnosis of depression may be made by a trained mental health professional when the symptoms are severe, persistent and causes impairment to a person’s

Are anxiety disorders common?

Yes they are. A large 2016 mental health study in Singapore found that 1.6% of the population suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This may not sound like much, but it

Join Dr Victor Kwok, Psychiatrist, Private Space Medical and Shynn Tay, LilasBlooms, in Mindful Bouquet Creation. In this master class, learn tips on floral arrangement from Shynn and mindfulness techniques from Dr Kwok to beautify

After assessing my patients, I often suggest that they consider therapy. There are many misconceptions about psychological therapy. This may perhaps be due to the way therapy is portrayed on television (e.g. in Infernal Affairs,