ANNABELLE PSYCHOLOGY
周泳伶临床心理诊所
clinical psychologists
Have you ever found yourself fixating on a small detail about your appearance, something no one else seems to notice?
These thoughts are normal and part of being human.
We all feel self-conscious at times. But when appearance worries become constant and distressing, it could be Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Learn how to recognise the signs and where to get help.
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A frightening disease and a painful reality for the one who is diagnosed and family who needs to care for them.
Alzheimer’s Disease, as often portrayed in books and shows, usually begins with subtle memory lapses, increased confusion, and changes in mood and personality. As the disease progresses, disorientation and fear can grow. The loss of precious memories — the ones that stitch our lives together, shape who we are, and connect us to those we love — is a painful reality for those living with Alzheimer’s. They must confront this reality daily, and perhaps the most heart-wrenching question is:
It’s a frightening disease. It affects memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. Though often used interchangeably with ‘dementia,’ Alzheimer’s is specifically a progressive brain disorder that gradually makes independent daily life more challenging. Understanding what Alzheimer’s is helps us recognise why these early changes in memory, thinking, and behaviour are so important to notice.
Alzheimer’s usually creeps in quietly, so the early signs can be easy to miss. Some things to look out for include:
Forgetting recent conversations or events
Struggling with everyday planning or problem-solving
Feeling confused even in familiar places
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Withdrawing from social activities
Changes in mood and personality
Noticing the early signs is just the first step. Visiting a polyclinic or GP for an initial assessment can help ease some of the confusion, constant guessing, and worry that often come with uncertainty. From there, you can begin receiving guidance, support, and answers. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
Support often comes from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers. The type of support may change over time, but the goal remains the same: to ensure that every step of the journey is guided with understanding, compassion, and care.
As psychologists, we’re here to walk alongside you and your loved ones at every stage of Alzheimer’s. We help you make sense of memory changes and cognitive challenges. We also support assessment and diagnosis, so you can better understand what is happening.
As the disease progresses, we offer psychological support, practical strategies to manage daily challenges, and guidance for caregivers on how to maintain emotional connection and understanding. We want to help you and your loved ones feel supported, empowered, and able to focus on meaningful moments together.
Small, simple strategies can make a big difference for both those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Some ideas include:
Keep a consistent routine. Simple schedules help reduce confusion and give the individual a sense of security and grounding.
Label and organise spaces. Clear labels on doors, drawers, or cupboards make it easier to find things and maintain independence.
Use memory tools. Calendars, notebooks, and phone reminders can support memory and help track appointments or daily tasks.
Break tasks into small steps. Doing things step by step, rather than all at once, can make activities more manageable and less frustrating.
We know that the diagnosis can feel like the end. It’s a difficult reality to confront – individuals and their families are often wracked with feelings of fear, hopelessness, and devastation. We want to remind you that even though it hurts deeply, life is still worth living. Alzheimer’s doesn’t define who you are – the life you’ve lived and continue to live still matter.
To the caregivers who work tirelessly, we see you. We know that you’re scared, exhausted, and might even feel like you cannot go on. Yet, your love, patience, and dedication make a world of difference. You are not alone, and it is okay to seek support and care for yourself too.
Behind every person with Alzheimer’s is a life full of moments still worth celebrating. A diagnosis does not erase dignity, love, or hope. With understanding and support, living well with Alzheimer’s is possible.
We may feel overwhelmed by emotions when we are finally given an official diagnosis.
Gone, is that feeling of uncertainty, that uneasiness of “just what is wrong with me?”. We may experience relief from now having a label to describe our experiences, or perhaps feel sombre over being different. It is okay to allow ourselves some time to breathe and to feel our emotions.
Once calmed, the thought may then occur to us, “What’s next? What do I need to know? What should I ask?”
1. What does “borderline” mean?
2. Why is it called a “personality disorder”? Am I a bad person?
3. What symptoms of BPD do I display?
4. Could there be other diagnoses with similar symptoms? Are we certain I have BPD?
5. Do I have any comorbidities?
6. Was I born with this? How did I get this?
7. Do you have any tips for managing my symptoms and feelings?
8. Do you have any recommended resources that would help me better understand BPD?
9. Do you know of any support group that I can join?
10. Are there films or books about BPD that I may be able to relate to?
11. How should I tell my loved ones about this?
12. How can I tell if someone still loves me?
13. Will this affect my relationships?
14. Will this impact my professional career?
15. Is there anything I should avoid?
16. Is this curable?
17. Are there any medications that may help? What are the side effects?
18. What is the most effective treatment?
19. When will I get better?
20. Is it possible to relapse?
It has likely taken bravery and effort on our part to seek professional assessment, and we should give ourselves a pat on the back. Similarly, the road to recovery may seem arduous and daunting, but let us once again find the courage to persevere, so that we may better enjoy relationships with others.
In Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), building mastery refers to doing things that are slightly difficult in nature to build an individual’s sense of achievement and competence.
In Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), building mastery refers to doing things that are slightly difficult in nature to build an individual’s sense of achievement and competence. When we were younger, we all had a natural drive to build mastery. We would push our way through to learn to talk, walk, run, or do the things that we see older children do. We would accept that while it was not easy to pick up, we would always get back on our feet when we fell.
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