Effective treatments for anxiety disorders include psychotherapy, aerobic exercise and medications. Some psychotherapy techniques known as behavioural therapies or cognitive behavioral therapies are most useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders and are referred to as “first-line treatments.” Cognitive behavioural therapy involves examining the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This is used to teach a person to address their fears by modifying the way he or she thinks and responds to stressful events. Relaxation techniques including mindfulness and meditation are also useful for people with anxiety disorders to decrease their stress and to help them cope with severe worrying.

In most cases, a combination of psychotherapy and medications is most beneficial for people with severe anxiety disorders. Some commonly used medications for anxiety disorders are anti-depressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The importance of having a good diet and getting enough sleep are known to decrease symptoms in people with anxiety disorders. Regular exercise has also been scientifically proven to be effective.

Family and friends who have loved ones with anxiety disorders should attempt to be understanding of the symptoms that their loved one is trying to overcome. Family and friends should be careful not to blame themselves but rather to encourage their loved one to seek treatment for these complicated illnesses.

List of mental health support services available in Singapore

 

Counselling Centres and Helplines

Agency	Address	Telephone Number
Association of Women for Action & Research (for women in distress)	Block 5 Dover Crescent #01-22	1800-774-5935 / 67797137
AWWA Centre for Caregivers (for caregivers)	No 9 Lorong Napiri	65115318/ 1800 299 2992
Care Corner (Mandarin)	8 New Industrial Road #06-03	1800 353 5800
Counselling and Care Centre	Blk 536 Upper Cross Street #05-241 Hong Lim Complex	65366366
Eagles Mediation & Counselling Centre	177 River Valley Road #05-19 Liang Court	67888220
Fei Yue Community Services	Blk 604 Choa Chu Kang St 62 #01-53	65631106
Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing	298 Tiong Bahru Road Central Plaza #15-00	65939565
Mount Elizabeth-Charter s Helpline	Mount Elizabeth Hospital 3 Mount Elizabeth	1800-738-9595
O Joy Care Services	Blk 5 Upper Boon Keng Road #02-10	67490190
Raffles Counselling Centre	Raffles Hospital, 585 North Bridge Road	63111222
SAGE Counselling Centre	1 Jurong West Central 2 #06-04 Jurong Point Shopping Centre	63541191
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)	Block 10 Cantonment Close #01-01 (HDB Multi-storey carpark)	1800-221-4444
Shan You Counselling Centre	Block 5 Upper Boon Keng Road #02-15	6741 0078 (Mandarin) 67419293
Singapore Action Group of Elders (SAGE) (for older adults)	19 Toa Payoh West	1800 555 5555
Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH)	Blk 69, Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #01-365	1800 283 7019
Tsao Foundation	298 Tiong Bahru Road #15-01/06 Central Plaza	65939500
Wings Counselling Centre	179 Bartley Road	63835745

 

Polyclinics

Polyclinic	Address
Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic (Health & Mind Clinic Please call 6355 3000 to make an appointment.)	Blk 723 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 #01-4138 (S) 560723
Bedok Polyclinic	Blk 212 Bedok North St 1 #03-147 (S) 460212
Bukit Batok Polyclinic	50 Bukit Batok West Ave 3 (S) 659164
Bukit Merah Polyclinic	Blk 163 Bt Merah Central #04-3565 (S) 150163
Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic	2 Teck Whye Crescent #01-00 (S) 688846
Clementi Polyclinic	Blk 451 Clementi Ave 3 #02-307 (S) 120451
Geylang Polyclinic	21 Geylang East Central (S) 389707
Hougang Polyclinic	89 Hougang Ave 4 (S) 538829
Jurong Polyclinic (Health & Mind Clinic Please call 6355 3000 to make an appointment.)	190 Jurong East Ave 1 (S) 609788
Marine Parade Polyclinic	Blk 80 Marine Parade Central #01-792 (S) 440080
Outram Polyclinic	3 Second Hospital Ave Level 2 (S) 168937
Pasir Ris Polyclinic	1 Pasir Ris Drive 4 #01-11 (S) 519457
Queenstown Polyclinic	580 Sterling Road, #01-01 (S) 148958
Sengkang Polyclinic	2 Sengkang Sq #01-06 Sengkang Community Hub (S) 545025
Tampines Polyclinic	1 Tampines Street 41 (S) 529203
Toa Payoh Polyclinic	2003 Toa Payoh Lor 8 (S) 319260
Woodlands Polyclinic	10 Woodlands St 31 (S) 738579
Yishun Polyclinic	140 Yishun Central (S) 768826

 

Hospitals

Hospital	Address	Telephone Number
Institute of Mental Health	10 Buangkok View, 539747	6389 2200 (appointment) 6389 2222 (emergency helpline 24hrs service)
Alexandra Hospital	Alexandra Hospital378 Alexandra Road Singapore 159964	6472 2000
Changi General Hospital	Changi General Hospital  2 Simei Street 3 Singapore 529889	6788 8833
Institute of Mental Health	Buangkok Green Medical Park 10 Buangkok View Singapore 539747	6389 2000
Jurong Medical Centre	60 Jurong West Central 3 Singapore 648346	6551 7888
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital	90 Yishun Central Singapore 768828	6555 8000
KK Hospital	140 Bukit Timah Road Singapore 229899	6225 5554
National University Hospital	5 Lower Kent Ridge Road Singapore 119074	6779 5555
Singapore General Hospital	Outram Road Singapore 169608	6222 3322
Tan Tock Seng Hospital	11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433	6256 6011

 

References:

1.        National Institute of Mental Health
2.       National Alliance on Mental Illness
3.       Health Promotion Board, Singapore