Presenter：Lok Man Leung - Programme Manager at the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focusing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
Good morning, welcome to #Hashtag Hong Kong. As a clinical psychologist at the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong - which is a non-profit association dedicated to mental health awareness and services - I would like to shine a spotlight on a condition that affects many but is often misunderstood: psychosis.
Let me start with a brief introduction about this condition. Psychosis is a mental health condition characterized by a disconnection from reality. People experiencing psychosis may have difficulty differentiating what is real from what is not real. This can manifest through symptoms such as hallucinations. For example, you are seeing things or hearing things that aren’t there, and delusions – you are having strong beliefs that are not based in reality.
According to global estimates, approximately 3 in 100 people will experience psychosis at some point in their lives. It can occur at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in late adolescence to early adulthood. While it’s less common than other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, psychoeducation about psychosis and early intervention are crucial.
In general, symptoms can be categorized into positive symptoms and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms happen when a person is experiencing additional things that are originally not there. For example like delusional thoughts like somebody is spying on me or you are the president of a country, or having different types of hallucinations that pertain to our senses like auditory, visual and tactile. Or you may have disorganized speech and abnormal motor behaviors such as agitated movements or repetitive actions. On the other hand, negative symptoms refer to the absence or reduction of normal behaviors. For example like having flat affect, limited facial expressions, limited speech, changes in mood, lack of motivation, or lack of desire to engage in social activities.
Treatment typically involves a combination of antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, and also psychosocial support groups. Early intervention is key—it can significantly improve outcomes. Psychotherapy such as Cognitive-behavioral therapy or we call CBT tailored for psychosis can help individuals to manage symptoms and to develop coping strategies. Support groups and community resources also play a vital role in recovery. There are a lot support groups tailored for individuals struggling with psychosis to target social skills improvement, self-care skills and independent living skills. The goal is to help them in skills building to decrease the functional impairments caused by psychosis, and hence resume a normal life and integrate back to the society.
On a personal level, I’ll say it’s crucial for individuals to maintain a structured daily routine, and to stay connected with supportive friends and family, and also follow with your treatment plans including medications and psychotherapy. It’s also important to explore interests and activities that bring you joy and purpose and to stay engaged with people around you.
I once had a client who’s been struggling with psychosis for over 10 years that he would cover his left ear whenever he hears voices. With proper treatment and skills building, he’s able to differentiate reality with his auditory hallucinations, so that he’s not being responsive or reactive to the voices, even if the voices are still there with him. Once he has become more stable with his symptoms, we started taking him to do volunteer work in the community where he would help dispatching lunch boxes to the homeless population. That volunteer work gave him opportunities to reconnect to people, to the community and also built a sense of accomplishment in him. Ultimately he’s able to live a fulfilling life despite his diagnosis.
I want to emphasize that psychosis is a treatable condition. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, seeking help early can make a significant difference. Recovery is a journey, increasing awareness and reducing stigma are important steps to make sure everybody gets the right support they need. Last but not least, remember your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and no one should face these challenges alone.
Thank you so much for tuning in today and hope together we can build a more informed and supportive community.
Presenter：Lok Man Leung - Programme Manager at the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation
In Hong Kong, the situation with AIDS shows progress but also ongoing challenges. As of 2023, the Department of Health reported around 10,000 individuals living with HIV. While new infections are decreasing, the prevalence remains higher in high-risk groups, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM), who have the highest rates of HIV.
In discussing notable trends in AIDS in Hong Kong, it's crucial to recognize the challenges and progress within the community.
First of all, Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to face the highest HIV prevalence in Hong Kong, underscoring the urgent need for intensified prevention efforts and targeted education for this group.
Secondly, the decline in annual new HIV infections is an encouraging development, credited to public health campaigns that have facilitated increased testing and treatment access. Timely detection and intervention continue to be cornerstones in our fight against HIV.
Lastly, efforts to promote HIV testing and raise awareness have yielded positive outcomes, particularly among high-risk groups, fostering a culture of proactive health management through regular screenings for early diagnosis and treatment.
I would like to offer our insights on strategies for preventing HIV/AIDS transmission. This requires a comprehensive approach that involves education as a key component in increasing awareness. It's surprising that sexual education isn't mandatory in secondary schools. We need comprehensive sexual education and public health campaigns to inform the community about HIV transmission, prevention methods, and regular testing. These steps are crucial in reducing new infections.
Moreover, safe sex practices are key. Advocating for condom use and other barrier methods during sexual activities is vital. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is another important tool. By enhancing accessibility and awareness of PrEP for HIV-negative individuals, the risk of infection can be significantly lowered.
Last but not least, regular testing is critical. It's essential for early detection and treatment, particularly for high-risk individuals who should be encouraged to test regularly. By promoting routine testing, we can ensure timely interventions and better manage the spread of the epidemic.
Now, I want to share information on the symptoms of AIDS. AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection, leading to a compromised immune system. Symptoms can include weight loss, fever, fatigue, swollen lymph glands, diarrhea, sores, pneumonia, skin blotches, and neurological issues. Testing is the only definitive way to determine HIV status.
In our work at the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, particularly within the MSM team, we are committed to enhancing sexual health knowledge and the importance of safe sex practices. We focus heavily on raising awareness about the necessity of regular HIV and STD testing and actively promote the use of PrEP among at-risk groups. These groups include not only MSM but also female sex workers and their clients, as well as individuals who are sexually active with multiple partners.
One of our major challenges is overcoming the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS, which can significantly hinder community outreach and education efforts. Additionally, logistical challenges such as funding limitations and resource allocation also pose significant barriers to expanding our reach and effectiveness in these crucial areas.
To further combat the spread of HIV and enhance public health safety, we urge the government to provide more robust support to NGOs like ours. This includes not only funding support but also efforts to enhance overall sexual health education across various community sectors. Raising public awareness about safe sex and the importance of regular testing is critical.
Furthermore, we recommend that the government sponsor or subsidize PrEP for all at-risk groups. This proactive approach in preventative health could significantly reduce new HIV infections and better protect our communities. Implementing these measures with strong governmental backing and public engagement can make a substantial difference in the fight against AIDS.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate a song "These Are the Days of Our Lives" by Queen.
