Materia Medica Malaysiana

Health: Dangerous minds

Dr Yen Teck Hoe

According to the Malaysian Psychiatric Association, between 10 and 15 per cent of Malaysia’s population suffer from some form of mental illness. These range from depression to anxiety disorders and substance addiction. While the percentage may not seem alarming, consider this: 15 per cent of Malaysia’s population (24 million) would amount to 3.6 million people.

Compare this to the World Health Organisation’s Global Burden Study projection for year 2020 which revealed that depression, a form of mental illness, would be the second largest cause of disability after cardiovascular diseases. These facts and figures only elevate the need to address mental health and its importance.

However, addressing the issue is an uphill task with the most obvious obstacle being our mindset. The stigma attached to mental illness is so strong that if we know of anyone who is suffering from some form of mental illness – be it a phobia, depression or anxiety disorders, we are quick to label them as crazy. What’s worse is that if that person is seeking medical treatment for his condition, then the uninformed will see it as an endorsement of his so-called craziness.

This vicious cycle repeats itself, so much so that there is a high tendency for sufferers to not seek treatment rather than face discrimination and be ostracised. This will only worsen his/her problem and in serious cases, lead to suicide. A classic example is the late Hong Kong singer Leslie Cheung and local HVD actor Chin Chew Kiong.

Another obstacle is that people themselves don’t even know that they are suffering from mental illness leading to under-diagnosing of the problem. For example, a patient may suffer from dizziness, difficulty in breathing, shakiness, palpitations, chest pain or pressure, numbness, nausea or diarrhoea. To the patient, it may be a physical problem and refrains from telling the attending doctor the levels and patterns of these occurrences. But they are actually panic disorder symptoms.

Therefore, it is important that we equip ourselves with information on mental health. According to the World Health Organisation, mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her abilities. They should be able to cope with the normal stresses of life and work productively.

The above definition is an ideal scenario for optimal mental health. However, it is difficult to block out and escape the many additional stresses that life brings us. Even tragic events may have an effect.

Mental illness in itself takes many forms. Some of the more common conditions can be categorised as mood disorders and anxiety disorders.

We’ve all felt sad and down at some point in our lives. But when that feeling of hopelessness and melancholy becomes too much to bear and insufferable, it takes a toll on your life. This persistent sad mood is the first sign of a mood disorder. There are several types of mood disorders with the more common ones being depression, post-partum depression and pre-menstrual stress (PMS).

Feeling anxious is a part of normal human experience. But when your feelings get out of control and its not just an isolated case of sweaty palms and nervousness, but a constant occurence that disrupts your everyday schedule, it could be that you are suffering from some form of illness – an illness of the nervous system which is medically recognised as anxiety disorder.

There are many types of anxiety disorders such as anxiety disorders with anxious mood, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, simple phobia and social phobia.

The above are just a cross section of the many types of disorders and like any other physical medical conditions, mental illness CAN be treated. One need not suffer in silence as there are trained psychiatrists and medication available to overcome this problem. All it takes is more understanding and an informed public.

* Dr Yen Teck Hoe, MD, MPM, is a psychiatrist and a member of the Malaysia Psychiatric Association.