Latest news with #mentalhealth
Health Line
44 minutes ago
- Health
- Health Line
Anxiety Diagnosis
Key takeaways Diagnosing anxiety requires a comprehensive approach, including a physical examination and a thorough review of your personal history to rule out other medical conditions that may mimic anxiety symptoms. Various self-assessment questionnaires and clinical assessments, such as the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, are used to evaluate the level and severity of anxiety. Effective management of anxiety involves a combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and open communication with family and friends. Read on to learn more about the process of diagnosing anxiety. During the physical examination You should be completely honest with your doctor. Many things can contribute to or be affected by anxiety, including: certain illnesses medications alcohol consumption coffee consumption hormones Other medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble anxiety. Many anxiety symptoms are physical, including: racing heart shortness of breath shaking sweating chills hot flashes chest pain twitching dry mouth nausea vomiting diarrhea frequent urination Your doctor may perform a physical exam and order a variety of tests to rule out medical conditions that mimic anxiety symptoms. Medical conditions with similar symptoms include: heart attack angina mitral valve prolapse tachycardia asthma hyperthyroidism adrenal gland tumors menopause side effects of certain drugs, such as drugs for high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid disorders withdrawal from certain drugs, such as those used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders substance abuse or withdrawal Diagnostic tests It's suggested that you complete a self-assessment questionnaire before other testing. This can help you decide whether you may have an anxiety disorder or if you may be reacting to a certain situation or event. If your self-assessments lead you to believe that you may have an anxiety disorder, your doctor may then ask you to take a clinical assessment or conduct a structured interview with you. Your doctor may use one or more of the following tests to assess your level of anxiety. Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale The Zung test is a 20-item questionnaire. It asks you to rate your anxiety from 'a little of the time' to 'most of the time' on subjects such as: nervousness anxiety shaking rapid heartbeat fainting frequent urination nightmares Once you complete this test, a trained professional assesses your responses. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) Developed in 1959, the Hamilton test was one of the first rating scales for anxiety. It's still widely used in clinical and research settings. It involves 14 questions that rate moods, fears, and tension, as well as physical, mental, and behavioral traits. A professional must administer the Hamilton test. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) The BAI helps measure the severity of your anxiety. You can take the test by yourself. It may also be given orally by a professional or paraprofessional. There are 21 multiple-choice questions that ask you to rate your experience of symptoms during the past week. These symptoms include tingling, numbness, and fear. Answer options include 'not at all,' 'mildly,' 'moderately,' or 'severely.' Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) This 17-question self-assessment measures your level of social phobia. You rate your anxiety in relation to various social situations on a scale from zero to four. Zero indicates no anxiety. Four indicates extreme anxiety. Penn State Worry Questionnaire This test is the most widely used measure of worry. It distinguishes between social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The test uses 16 questions to measure your worry's generality, excessiveness, and uncontrollability. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale This seven-question test is a screening tool for generalized anxiety disorder. You're asked how often in the past two weeks you've been bothered by feelings of irritability, nervousness, or fear. Options include 'not at all,' 'several days,' 'more than half the days,' or 'nearly every day.' Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) The YBOCS is used to measure levels of OCD. It's conducted as a one-on-one interview between you and a mental health professional. You choose three items from a symptom checklist that are the most disturbing and then rate how severe they are. Then, you're asked whether you've had certain other obsessions or compulsions in the past. Based on your answers, the mental health professional grades your OCD as subclinical, mild, moderate, severe, or extreme. Mental health disorders that feature anxiety Anxiety is a symptom in several disorders. Some of these include: Disorder Symptoms Panic disorder High amounts of anxiety as well as physical stress for a short amount of time; physical stress can come in the form of dizziness, a high heart rate, sweating, numbness, and other similar symptoms Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Anxiety expressed as obsessive thoughts or as compulsive behavior that's acted upon repeatedly to relieve stress Phobias Anxiety triggered because of a specific thing or situation that isn't necessarily harmful or dangerous, including animals, heights, or riding in vehicles Social phobias Anxiety that's experienced in interpersonal situations, such as during conversations, in large social groups, or when speaking in front of a crowd The broadest anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), is different from these other disorders because it doesn't necessarily relate to a specific cause or behavior. With GAD, you may worry about many different things at once or over time, and the worries are often constant. Diagnostic criteria An anxiety diagnosis depends a lot on your description of the symptoms you're experiencing. Mental health professionals use the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' (often called the DSM) to diagnose anxiety and other mental disorders based on symptoms. The criteria differ for each anxiety disorder. The DSM lists the following criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): excessive anxiety and worry most days about many things for at least six months difficulty controlling your worry appearance of three of the following six symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, and difficulty concentrating symptoms significantly interfering with your life symptoms not being caused by direct psychological effects of medications or medical conditions symptoms aren't due to another mental disorder (e.g. anxiety about oncoming panic attacks with panic disorder, anxiety due to a social disorder, etc.) Anxiety diagnosis in children Childhood and the teenage years are full of new, frightening experiences and events. Some children learn to confront and accept these fears. However, an anxiety disorder can make it difficult or impossible for a child to cope. The same diagnostic criteria and assessments that are used for adults apply to children, too. In the Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5 (ADIS-5), your doctor interviews both you and your child about their symptoms. Symptoms in children are similar to those in adults. If you notice anxiety symptoms or any anxious or worrying behaviors that last for more than two weeks, take your child to the doctor. There, they can be checked for an anxiety disorder. Some research suggests that anxiety can have a genetic component. If anyone in your family has ever been diagnosed with anxiety or a depressive disorder, get your child evaluated as soon as you notice symptoms. A proper diagnosis can lead to interventions to help them manage anxiety at a young age. What to do if you're diagnosed with anxiety Focus on managing your anxiety rather than on ending or curing it. Learning how best to control your anxiety can help you live a more fulfilled life. You can work on stopping your anxiety symptoms from getting in the way of reaching your goals or aspirations. To help manage your anxiety, you have several options. Medication If you or your child is diagnosed with anxiety, your doctor will likely refer you to a psychiatrist who can decide what anxiety medications will work best. Sticking to the recommended treatment plan is crucial for the medications to work effectively. Try not to delay your treatment. The earlier you begin, the more effective it will be. Therapy You might also consider seeing a therapist or joining a support group for people with anxiety so that you can talk openly about your anxiety. This can help you control your worries and get to the bottom of what triggers your anxiety. Lifestyle choices Find active ways to relieve your stress. This can lessen the impact that anxiety may have on you. Some things you can do include: Get regular exercise. Find hobbies that engage or occupy your mind. Participate in activities that you enjoy. Keep a daily journal of thoughts and activities. Create short-term or long-term schedules. Socialize with friends. Also, avoid alcohol, nicotine, and other similar drugs. The effects of these substances can make your anxiety worse. Communication Be open with your family and close friends about your diagnosis, if possible. It's not easy to talk about any mental disorder. However, the more the people around you understand your anxiety, the easier it becomes to communicate your thoughts and needs to them. Anxiety relief tips Stick to the treatment plan recommended by your psychiatrist. Consider seeing a therapist or joining a support group for people with anxiety. Find active ways to relieve your stress, such as getting regular exercise or keeping a daily journal. Be open with your family and close friends about your diagnosis, if possible. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and other similar drugs. Focus on managing your anxiety rather than on ending or curing it.
CNA
2 hours ago
- Health
- CNA
Deep Dive - Silent expectations and fatal outcomes: The suicide risk men face
Deep Dive - Silent expectations and fatal outcomes: The suicide risk men face Singapore reported 314 suicides in 2024, with the sharpest increase among adults aged 30 to 39. Nearly two-thirds were men. What pressures do these groups face? And what are the warning signs? Otelli Edwards and Steven Chia speak with Dr Jared Ng, a psychiatrist and the former chief of emergency and crisis care at the Institute of Mental Health, and Eugene Chong, counselling psychologist at Seeding Minds.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
The risks of smartphone use for kids under 13
New research published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities suggests kids who get smartphones before age 13 face significantly higher risks of mental health problems. On a summer day in Champlin, many kids are busy running, playing and swinging in the park. "I think it's important for them to just still grow up without the constant electronics," said Milaniya Oayenyagra, a mother of three from Rogers. Countless others are at home absorbed in their smartphones and social media. Almost two-thirds of kids say they were 10 or younger when they got their first smartphone. "We see anxiety increasing, negative body image increasing, we see thoughts to hurt self," said Dr. Joshua Stein, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical director at PrairieCare. Stein admits it's a tricky world for parents to navigate. "Even as parents, we're just trying to catch up and understand our own use and our own patterns, and I think it's a really good chance to start that conversation now wherever you're at, even if you have to claw back some of these privileges." Stein says if you feel like what you've already done isn't working for your child or your family, make changes, like adding parental controls, setting time limits and eliminating use close to bedtime. He also adds there are red flags to look for that may indicate a problem online. "If all of the sudden when they come off their phones, they're irritable, they're agitated or if they start to just all of the sudden not use their phone at all," he said. "Sometimes it can be that they're being bullied, sometimes it can be that they're frustrated, but other times it can be that they're being preyed upon." Regular check-ins, where you ask if there is anything online that makes your child feel sad or uncomfortable, can help you gauge their mental health and open the door to suggest tech-free activities. "Parents need to make sure they're providing their young kids that opportunity to make play, that it's OK for them to be bored and it's OK for your older teenagers to be bored, too, and to figure out how to connect and have fun with one another," he said. Stein suggests families use the free Family Media Plan provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It helps keep track of social media usage and set family priorities.
CNA
3 hours ago
- Health
- CNA
Commentary: In suicide prevention, data must be timely, transparent and trusted
SINGAPORE: This week, Singapore reported a provisional suicide count of 314 for 2024. At the same time, the official number for 2023 was revised to 434 suicides, up from the previously reported 322 in July last year. This sequence in which the data was released highlights the need to treat provisional numbers with care. The initial figure for 2023 had been widely reported as the lowest in over two decades. Although the figure was clearly marked as provisional, many took it as a hopeful sign that suicide numbers were falling. The updated number - an increase of more than 100 cases – is a sobering moment for us working in suicide prevention. It affects how we interpret the data and look for patterns, where we direct support and how we speak to grieving families and communities. There is a need for stakeholders to reflect on how such data is communicated, so we can move forward with honesty and credibility. EVERY NUMBER IS A LIFE Suicide statistics aren't like any other metric. They are records of people who struggled, who mattered, and who left behind people who loved them. Singapore has a suicide reporting system built on careful processes. Each suspected case is referred to the coroner, who considers a full range of information, including police investigations, medical records, forensic evidence and family testimonies. This approach is rigorous, and rightly so. It ensures that deaths are not classified prematurely or without due care. But this thoroughness also means that the system takes time. The numbers released in July each year are marked as provisional. The final figures, as we saw with 2023, may not be confirmed until a full year later. In practice, it can take 18 months or more to know how many people died by suicide in a given year. In that gap, incomplete numbers can shape outreach, policies and public perceptions. So when the provisional figure for 2024 was released – 314 suicides, even lower than the previous year – it was shared as the lowest number on record. Based on the data available at the time, that is true. But given what we now know about the revision of the 2023 numbers, we must ask: What does the number really mean? This is not a criticism of the coroner's office or the agencies compiling these statistics. Their work is serious and necessary. Still, any revision of suicide data without clear explanation risks undermining trust, not just in the numbers, but in the larger effort to prevent suicide. WHAT'S POSSIBLE WITH TIMELY DATA Countries around the world have found that better data leads to better prevention. Japan, for example, passed a national suicide prevention law in 2006. Officials collect and share detailed information not just on deaths, but also on risk factors such as age, method and motivation. This data is shared with local municipalities, allowing tailored responses. Some communities focus on elderly isolation, others on youth stress. Volunteers are mobilised to monitor high-risk locations, and in some areas, blue LED lights - believed to have a calming effect - are installed at train stations to stop people from jumping in front of oncoming trains. As a result of its efforts, Japan's suicide numbers have fallen from over 30,000 in 2009 to 20,268 in 2024, showing that consistent, localised data can support meaningful change. Meanwhile in Norway, the National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention runs a nationwide surveillance system that links cause-of-death data with mental health and addiction records. Using encrypted and anonymised data, the system identifies whether people who died by suicide had recent contact with care services. This information helps the system improve, whether by updating protocols, staff training or outreach. In Boston in the United States, public schools conduct regular anonymous surveys with students, asking about emotional well-being, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. When data showed rising distress among LGBTQ+ students during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city responded. Peer groups expanded, partnerships grew and resources were redirected to where they were most needed. These examples offer valuable lessons, but they are not without flaws. Even in well-established systems, challenges remain. Healthcare providers often face unclear reporting duties and worry about how data sharing might affect patient care. Privacy laws are sometimes misunderstood or unevenly applied, and coordinating across agencies is rarely straightforward. Resources are also a major constraint. Building and sustaining such systems takes years, millions in funding and skilled staff to manage and interpret data. These aren't reasons to stop trying. But they show that good intentions must be backed by clear design, long-term support and strong safeguards. Singapore can learn from both the progress and the pitfalls. WHAT SINGAPORE IS MISSING In Singapore, we lack a robust national system to track suicide attempts. Completed suicides go through the coroner, but most attempts go undocumented unless the person seeks medical care. Even then, hospitals are not required by law to report them. That leaves the country without a clear picture of who is struggling, or how to intervene early. International research suggests that for every suicide, there are at least 10 to 20 attempts. Among adolescents, that figure may be even higher. Without clear attempted suicide data, we risk building policies based only on the tip of the iceberg. Another major gap is the lack of coordinated data on suicidal thoughts and self-harm, particularly among youth. Schools have counsellors. Helplines, like the one manned round the clock by Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), receive calls. But this information is rarely consolidated at the national level. Without a full picture, we end up responding to fragments, often when it is too late. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE Singapore is not starting from zero. There are helplines, hospital services, school counselling teams, and dedicated professionals are all working hard to prevent suicide. But we do need better coordination. One practical step would be to establish a small central team whose job is to bring suicide-related data together. This team would analyse trends across hospitals, schools and helplines, not to identify individuals, but to flag areas where support is most urgently needed. Anonymous surveys, like those used in Boston, would also help us understand what young people are experiencing, whether they know where to seek help, and what barriers stand in their way. This is sensitive work, but other countries show it can be done. Helpline data is another valuable source. Every call and text message to SOS or the 1771 national mental health hotline is a cry for help. For example, if we see more calls in a certain month from a particular age group, that can guide early intervention. But this only works if the data is reviewed regularly and shared responsibly. Finally, clear communication is essential. When figures are released as provisional, that status should be consistently noted in reporting and public discussion. If the numbers are later revised, explaining why helps people understand the process. Clear communication builds trust, and trust is essential in suicide prevention. We owe it to those we've lost, and to those still struggling in silence, to do better. Because behind every number is a person. Someone who mattered. Someone who might still be here if we had seen the signs in time. Dr Jared Ng is a psychiatrist in private practice in Singapore. He was previously chief of the department of emergency and crisis care at the Institute of Mental Health. Where to get help: National mental health helpline: 1771 Samaritans of Singapore Hotline: 1767
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Mother, 31, 'drowned one year-old son in Lake Michigan because she was depressed about boyfriend dumping her'
An Illinois mother accused of drowning her baby boy in Lake Michigan during a mental health spiral has been held without bail as she awaits trial for first–degree murder. Surah Amon, 31, allegedly walked into the water with her 14–month–old son Sir Watson last Friday night at South Shore Beach in Chicago and 'let go' of him before screaming to bystanders that she'd killed her baby and wanted to die. The child was pulled from the lake by the Chicago Fire Department's Marine Unit and rushed to Comer Children's Hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Authorities say the tragedy unfolded just hours after Amon was dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of the home she shared with the boy's father and grandmother, following a violent confrontation that ended with police serving her with an order of protection. Prosecutors revealed during Tuesday's bond hearing that Amon had a history of clashes with the paternal grandmother, who had repeatedly called police to have her removed from the house. On July 11, the grandmother was granted an order of protection – but allowed Amon to stay anyway when it wasn't immediately enforced. That changed on Thursday, July 17, when Amon allegedly struck the woman, prompting police to serve the order. But with nowhere to go, Amon was permitted to stay one more night. On Friday afternoon, another relative called 911 to report Amon was 'having mental health issues.' Later that evening, the grandmother returned home from work and found her still there. She phoned police twice – but by the time officers arrived, Amon had vanished with the child. Around 9:45 p.m., beachgoers at Chicago's Yacht Harbor spotted Amon in deeper water screaming that she'd drowned her son. 'I killed my son. I want to die,' she allegedly yelled, according to police. Sir Watson was found unresponsive in the water by a CFD helicopter team. First responders performed chest compressions, but to no avail. Amon was pulled from the lake with cuts on her wrists and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for minor injuries and a mental health evaluation. She later confessed to police that she had killed her son after being 'kicked out' by the boy's father, saying she had wanted to end her own life. At Tuesday's hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Todd Kleist told the court: 'She's the person who's supposed to protect this child… and she is the one who killed him. If she's capable of doing this to a helpless and innocent child, then she is also a danger to anyone else she comes into contact with.' Judge Suzanna Ortiz agreed to deny bail, ruling Amon posed a threat to herself and the community due to what she called a 'serious mental health crisis.' Family members wept in the courtroom as prosecutors outlined the child's final moments. Amon's sister, Claudia, told WLS that the family had desperately tried to intervene earlier in the day. 'Three hours before this happened, me and my sister made a call to the police to have a mental health team come out,' she said. 'When the police showed up, they told us there was nothing they could do because my sister was not being violent.' Amon remains in custody and is due back in court on August 13. She has no prior criminal history.
