Help-Seeking From Traditional Healers Among Singaporean Older Adults

The objectives were to identify the socio-demographic characteristics of older adults who visit traditional healers as well as identify medical and psychiatric conditions that are associated with visits to the traditional healer. Methods: Data from 2563 older adults who participated in the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) population-based survey was used. Sociodemographic information, details on traditional healer visits as well as medical and psychiatric conditions were collated through an adapted 10/66 protocol. Results: A total of 10.4% of older adults sought help from a traditional healer within the past three months. There were significantly more visits to traditional healers by women, those whose highest level of education was primary or secondary school, those who had stomach/intestine problems and those who had anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: Traditional healers appear to be a preferred source of help among some older adult groups. Future research should focus on the impact of seeking help from these alternative healthcare providers in terms of clinical outcomes and costs. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 17 (2): July – December 2016: XX XX.

Outcomes of the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) Singapore

Psychoses are serious and potentially chronic mental disorders with a profound impact, in terms of economic cost and human suffering, on patients, their families and society. Early detection and treatment, through reducing the duration of untreated psychosis, however, could lead to a better outcome. In 2001, the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP), Singapore was started with the following key strategies: (1) early detection of psychosis through outreach to and network with the community and our partners; (2) provision of clinical treatment that is evidence-based; and (3) conducting clinically relevant research to evaluate our service to be accountable to the stake-holders and to ensure cost-effectiveness. A myriad of structure, process and outcome measures offering a multi-dimensional evaluation were chosen to make us accountable to a broad range of stakeholders, from our funders, other service providers, to our patients and their families. EPIP has shown good outcomes in terms of number of patients accepted into the programme, as well as our clinical service provision. Such outcomes are achieved with our community partners playing an important role. General Practitioners, in particular, are vital not only in the detection, management of such individuals, but also in the re-integration of our patients back to community.

An Overview of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is characterised by multiplicity of symptoms affecting cognition, emotion and perception. The early age of onset, varying degree of intellectual and psychosocial impairment and possibility of long-term disability makes it a severe and devastating mental illness. Symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into four categories: positive, negative, disorganised and cognitive symptoms. Various combinations of severity of these four categories are found in patients. They may also experience symptoms of other mental disorders, including depression, obsessive and compulsive symptoms, somatic concerns, and mood or anxiety symptoms. More than 80% of patients with schizophrenia have parents who do not have the disorder. The risk of having schizophrenia is greater in persons whose parents have the disorder. The peak incidence of schizophrenia is at 21 years. The onset is earlier for men (between ages 15 and 25 years) and later in women (between ages 25 and 35 years). Childhood onset schizophrenia is rare. The first psychotic episode is often preceded by a prodromal phrase lasting weeks or even years. The psychotic phase progresses through an acute phase, a recovery or stabilisation phase, and a stable phase. Early detection and treatment results in a better outcome. Management of schizophrenia is holistic and multidisciplinary. Family physicians play an important role in the early detection of those who are psychotic; managing patients who are stabilised and require maintenance pharmacotherapy; and the detection of physical illnesses of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes which have a higher prevalence among patients with schizophrenia as compared to the general population.