Learn about mental disorders

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Does someone in your family have a cleaning obsession? Does your colleague talks to himself, especially when there is a lot of work to do?
These “strange” behaviours are symptoms of an abnormal psychological condition, said clinical psychologist Leong Huey Mei, and one in 10 of us suffers from it.
“Many suffer from abnormal behaviour such as panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and mood disorder.
“A person suffering from this mental disorder may find it hard to socialise, work or go about his or her everyday life,” said the consultant clinical psychologist from KL Clinical Psychologist and Counselling Centre.
Other conditions include schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder, delusional disorder; behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors (for example, eating disorder); and behavioural and emotional disorders due to childhood and adolescence trauma.
Leong added that the main contributing factors to these mental disorders include a person's genetic make-up, physical condition, learning and reasoning and socialisation.
However, she stressed, if detected early enough, the abnormal behaviour can be treated.
Hence, to help the public identify mental disorders in their loved ones and help them overcome the problem, the MCA Lifelong Learning Campaign is conducting a one-day workshop on the branch of psychology which studies people who demonstrate such behaviour, emotion and thinking.
The psychological area is called Abnormal Psychology.
“The Abnormal Psychology workshop is suitable for those interested to know more about the topic as well as those who work with the sufferers such as caregivers, parents, teachers, practitioners and insurance agents.
“It will teach participants to identify the different types of abnormal behaviour,” Leong said.
She believes that getting informed will help the public overcome the problem.
“It is a malady of modern life. When I conduct workshops, it still amazes me how many people recognise the symptoms in themselves – it makes them more aware of the mental problem and I truly believe that once we know about it, we will be more capable to overcome it.”
The workshop will be conducted at the South City Lifelong Learning Centre at the South City Plaza in Seri Kembangan
The centre is part of the second stage of MCA’s Lifelong Learning Campaign.
It is the first such centre to be set up in a shopping complex, providing easier access for nearby residents.
Other courses offered at the centre are Basic English Conversation, Business English, Japanese, Basic Hanyu Pinyin, 4 in 1 Basic Computer, Financial Planning, Calligraphy, Healthy Diet and The Making of the Federal Constitution.
For more information, visit www.lll.net.my, call the centre at 03-2161 8044, or e-mail info@lll.net.my