28th Malaysian Conference of Psychological Medicine

A growing group of individuals feel they are not understood or taken seriously.Many have sought help and think that even mental health professionals are quick to diagnose or dismiss their concerns.Do mental health professionals have adequate knowledge and experience to help them?Neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are increasingly recognised as essential conditions and have significant implications within mainstream psychiatry, particularly for adult mental health services.In 1980, developmental disorders were included in DSM-III, which is categorised as "Neurodevelopmental disorders" (NDDs) in the DSM-5.Recognising its importance, the ICD-10 and 11 added a similar category.Countless adults with neurodevelopmental disorders frequently present to and find inadequate services for them within the adult mental health services.Many struggle to function and are unable to figure out why, which precipitates and aggravates their unique mental health challenges.Many continue to need and want support and understanding other than being treated with medication or told they have personality issues.The original term, "Disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence," may have complicated the picture and understanding of the disorders.Not recognising individuals with NDD is a frequent occurrence.This situation increases the risks of misunderstanding, misdiagnosis, and offering suboptimal help, potentially placing these individuals with poorer outcomes.Identifying individuals with NDD in our daily practice is essential; they often present repeatedly, stating nothing has changed or worked for them.Practitioners need to consider the presence of comorbid NDDs and offer appropriate help.The session will include cases who have gone through the mental health service sharing their experiences.Participants hearing about their struggles to get help will hopefully make a change in their perception regarding the existence of NDDs, particularly in adulthood.