Daily Lesson from Life 28 March 2009

"Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: Recession woes have affected many Singaporeans and for some, losing sleep over the economy could turn out to be something more serious.


Private clinics said they are seeing more patients with recession—related mood problems, with some doctors getting 50 per cent more cases compared to two years ago. These problems can range from anxiety attacks, insomnia, to more severe problems like depression.

Dr Adrian Wang, consultant psychiatrist, Dr Adrian Wang Psychiatric & Counselling Care, said: "When a person loses his job, the person loses part of his identity. All your life, you’ve been told you’re a banker, you’re a doctor, you’re a lawyer, you’re an office administrator and when that’s taken away from you, suddenly you feel like you’re questioning your own abilities."

Most of the patients affected by recession blues are in their late 20s to early 40s. Dr Wang said this is because people in that age group are at the most productive stage in their careers.


It is also the most vulnerable period as these people have many commitments such as mortgages and car loans, which depend heavily on a steady stream of income.

Although women are more likely to develop depression, Dr Wang said he is seeing an increase in the number of male patients suffering from the condition.

Although feeling stressed out about work is a normal reaction, psychologists and counsellors said it becomes a problem when it makes a person lose his ability to function properly and causes disruption to his day—to—day activities like eating and sleeping.


For foreign students and migrant workers, having a limited social network may worsen their condition.

"Sometimes, the loss of employment or the loss of income is the trigger point to a serious or major depressive episode. When a serious event happens at your work environment, it can have a very jarring effect on your sense of reality — of what’s right, what’s wrong and what’s going to happen in the future," Dr Wang said."

This is the signs of time. The root of the stress, if any, maybe deeper...

Lessons for me are:

1. be a multi-faceted YOU! While we are naturally strong in certain things, we must try to broaden our professional life and not be stereotyped as: you are an accountant, a banker, or what not!;

2. don't take yourself too seriously. While being an accountant or banker or lawyer or what-not is important, it is ok if we start over as a baker, waiter, or janitor if that is what is available and we need to bring the bacon (or lean meat or doufu) to the table to feed our family!;

3. life starts at 50 for most of us as we live longer and, hopefully, healthier. So, while it is tough to be in your late 20s and early 40s to lose your 1st or 2nd job, you still have plenty of time to catch up IF your personal finance is in order. However, if you are deeply in debts, that will be a difficult issue to tackle. If you willing to be strong and resilient, methods like downgrading the house, reducing certain discretionary living expenses, seeking help from private and public organizations that tie the disadvantaged over this difficult period, etc are still available to help you and your family!;

4. hopefully you have been inculcating and developing a set of strong values to anchor yourself and your family to each other. Each will have to make sacrifices and each will have to root for each other. Are you ready? Are they ready?

May those who are depressed seek help voluntarily or be volunteered by those who care and love for them. Sometimes, the most troubled could not see the problems themselves!!