Profile
A/Prof Leslie Lim specialises in the treatment of Depressive and Anxiety Disorders (which includes Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Phobic Disorder). He graduated MBBS (University of Singapore), trained in Psychiatry in London (St George's Medical School, University of London), obtained Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK). He was admitted as a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. He was visiting scholar at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, USA and at the Duke University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, North Carolina, USA.
He presently serves as council member of the College of Psychiatrists, Academy of Medicine, Singapore. He has trained numerous batches of undergraduate and post graduate students in Psychiatry and has mentored many trainees who have since become accomplished psychiatrists in Singapore.
He served as chief examiner in Psychiatry for the Master in Psychiatry Examinations, and is presently an examiner with the NUS and Duke- NUS medical school and an examiner with the Psychiatry residency programme in Singapore, as well as an examiner with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, United Kingdom.
Education
- Visiting Scholar, Duke University Medical Center, USA, 2005.
- Visiting Scholar, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA, 2005.
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy training, London, UK, 1989-90.
- Senior Registrar, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, 1989.
- SHO and Registrar, St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London 1984-8.
- Undergraduate, Faculty of Medicine, University of Singapore, 1975 –1980.
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Professional Appointments and Committee Memberships
- Clinical Associate Professor, National University of Singapore
- Clinical Associate Professor, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
- Adjunct Associate Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School
- Council Member, College of Psychiatrists, Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 2015-
- Honorary Secretary, Singapore Association for Mental Health, 2013-4.
- Member, committee for conjoint Singapore- ABMS Psychiatry exam, 2012.
- Member, Board of Visitors, Institute of Mental Health, 2012-4.
- Chairman, MOH workgroup for Clinical Practice Guidelines on Anxiety Disorders, 2011
- Member, New Residency Advisory Committee for Psychiatry, 2011- 2015
- Member, MOH Psychiatry Residency Exam Workgroup, 2011-
- Clinical Physician Faculty member, Family Medicine SingHealth Residency Programme, 2011-
- Member, Clinical Core Faculty, NHG National Psychiatry Residency Program 2010-
- Member, MOH workgroup for Clinical Practice Guidelines on Depression, 2010.
- Member, MOH workgroup for Clinical Practice Guidelines on Schizophrenia, 2010-12
- Member, Visitor's Board, Institute of Mental Health and Woodbridge Hospital 2010-
- Honorary Treasurer, Singapore Association for Mental Health, 2010-2011
- Member, Diploma in Psychotherapy Course organising committee, Graduate School for Medical studies, NUS 1999-2004
- Member, Ministry of Health Steering Committee for Mental Health Education 1998- 2000.
- Member, Ministry of Health Working Committee on Dementia and Depression in the Elderly, 1998 – 2000.
- President, Singapore Association for Mental Health, 1997-2009.
- Chairman, SGH Sedative and Psychotropic Prescribing Committee 2005-2007.
- Member, Management Committee, Hougang Care Centre, Singapore Anglican Welfare Council, 2001-2006.
- SGH Division of Medicine House Officer Educational Supervisor 2004-2006.
- Member, MOH workgroup for Clinical Practice Guidelines on Anxiety, 2003
- Member, SGH House Officer Committee, 2006-2010.
- Member, SGH Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, 2007-20
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Awards
- NCSS 25 year Long Service Award, November 2016.
- Distinguished Psychiatrist Award, Singapore Psychiatric Association, 29 April, 2016.
- SingHealth Quality Service (Star) Award, 2013.
- Singapore General Hospital 20- year Long Service Award, 2010Singapore Health Quality Service (Gold) Award, 2011.
- Singapore General Hospital, Service with a Heart Award, August, 2011.
- MCYS Long Service Award, 2012.
- Ministry of Health, National Day Long Service Award (PBS), 2012.
- Singapore General Hospital 20- year Long Service Award, 2010
- HMDP Fellowship in Consultation- Liaison Psychiatry and Psycho-oncology in USA, 2005.
- MCDS Long Service Award, 2004.
- Singapore General Hospital, Service Quality Award, 2006.
- National Council of Social Service Long Service Award, 2008.
- Service Quality EXSA (Star) Award, 2008
- SARS Courage Medal 2003
- Singapore General Hospital Long service award, 2004.
- Institute of Mental Health, Long Service Award, 2002.
- Institute of Mental Health, Colours award, 2002.
- Institute of Mental Health, MC Free Award, 1999-2001
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Publications
- Lim L, Goh J, Chan Y-H, Poon S-H. Attitudes toward Utility, Effects, and Side Effects of Treatment for Anxiety and Depression. Australasian Psychiatry 2016 DOI: 10.1177/1039856216658828.
- Lim L, Chan HN, Joyce Lim J, Wong D, Chan YH. Benzodiazepine Prescription Patterns and Dependence Risk in a General Hospital in Singapore. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2016; 17: 87-93.
- Lim L, Wan YM. Jikoshu-kyofu in Singapore. Australasian Psychiatry 2015. DOI: 10.1177/1039856215579541.
- Lim L, Chan HN, Chew PH, Chua SM, Ho C, Kwek SK, Lee TS, Loh P, Lum A, Tan YH, Wan YM, Woo M, Yap H. Ministry of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines: Anxiety Disorders. Singapore Med J 2015; 56(6): 310-316; http://dx.doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2015088.
- Lim L, Goh J, Chan Y-H, Poon S-H. Mental Health Literacy and the Belief in the Supernatural. Open Journal of Psychiatry 2015; 5: 334-341.
- Beck K R, Tan SM, Lum SS, Lim LEC, Krishna LKR. Validation of the emotion thermometers and hospital anxiety and depression scales in Singapore: Screening
- cancer patients for distress, anxiety and depression. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology 2014 doi: 10.1111/ajco.12180.
- Tan T, Lim L. Cognitive Behavior Therapy of Urinary Incontinence Phobia: A Case Report. Open Journal of Psychiatry 2015; 5:60-65.
- Soh, T.H., Lim, L., Chan, H.N. and Chan, Y.H. Antidepressant Prescribing Patterns for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in a Singapore Hospital. Open Journal of Psychiatry 2015; 5: 144-152. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojpsych.2015.52016.
- Lu Y, Feng L, Lim L, Ng TP. Asthma, life events and psychiatric disorders: a population- based study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2013;48(8):1273-82.
- Lim L. Taijin-Kyofu-Sho: A subtype of social anxiety. Open Journal of Psychiatry 2013; 3: 393-398.
- Tan SM, Beck KR, Li H, Lim LEC, Krishna LKR. Depression and anxiety in cancer patients in a Tertiary General Hospital in Singapore. Asian J Psychiatry 2013, DOI 10.1016/j.ajp. 2013.10.002.
- Lim L, Leow ML, Soh BL, Chan YH, Parker G. Bipolar Patients Sing More in Singapore: Singing as a Signal for Mania in Psychotic Patients. Ann Acad Med S'pore 2013;42:524-6.
- Chua HC, Chee KS, Chen YH, Chin SA, Chua PLW, Fones SLC, Fung D, Khoo CL, Kwek SKD, Lim L et al. Ministry of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines: Depression. Singapore Med Journal 2012; 53(2):137-144.
- Lim L, Divya A. A case of Jikoshu-Kyofu treated with cognitive behaviour therapy. Singapore Med Journal 2012; 53(7):e139-e141.
- Lim L, Jin A-Z & Ng T-P. Anxiety and Depression, Chronic Physical Conditions, and Quality of Life in an Urban Population Sample Study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatry Epidemiol 2012; 47:1047–1053. DOI 10.1007/s00127-011-0420-6.
- Thavichachart N, Kongsakon R, Lo WT, Lim L, Singh S, Sobrevega E, Banaag C, Bautista J, Evangelista ML, Dimatalac B, Choi A, Nerapusee O.The psychopathological characteristics of treatment discontinuation group in 6-month treatment with paliperidone ER Int J Clin Pract. 2012; 66(10):969-75. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2012.03016.x
- Ng TP, Jin A-Z, Ho R, Chua H-C, Fones CSL, Lim L. Health Beliefs and Help Seeking for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders Among Urban Singaporean Adults. Psychiatric Services 2008, 59: 105-8.
- Tor PC, Ng TP, Lim L, Ng BY, Ang YG. Qualities of a Good Psychiatrist. Asia Pacific Psychiatry 2009; Vol 1: 9-14.
- Tan E-C, Lim L, Leong J-Y, Lim JY, Lee A, Yang J, Tan CH, Winslow M. Alcohol and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Polymorphisms in Chinese and Indian Populations. Substance Use & Misuse 2010; 45 (1-2) : 1-14.
- Tor PC, Goh LG, Ang YG, Lim L, et al. Qualities of a Psychiatric Mentor: A Quantitative Singaporean Survey. Acad Psychiatry 2011; 35: 407-410.
- Lim L, Chow P, Wong CY, Chung A, Chan YH, Wong WK, Soo KC. Doctor-patient communication, knowledge, and question prompt lists in reducing preoperative anxiety: a randomized control study. Asian Journal of Surgery 2011; 34:175-80.
- Lim L, Krystal A. Psychotic disorder in a patient with central and extrapontine myelinolysis. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2007; 61:320-22.
- Tan EK, Lum SY, Chan LL, Gabriel C, Lim L. Behind the Facial Twitch: depressive symptoms in hemifacial spasm. Parkinsonism and related disorders 2005; 11(4): 241-245.
- Lim L, Ng TP, Chiam PC, Won V, Lee T, Fones CSL, Kua EH. Generalised anxiety disorder in Singapore: prevalence, co-morbidity and risk factors in a multi-ethnic population.
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2005; 40 (12):972-9. - Ng TP, Chiam PC, Lee T, Chua HC, Lim L, Kua EH. Curry Consumption and Cognitive Function in the Elderly. Am J Epidemiology 2006; 164(9): 898-906.
- Chang WC, Fung DSS, Lim L, Kwek DSK, Koh JBK, Neo HC. In search of family resilience in the aftermath of SARS. Annals Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2006; 35(Suppl) 10: S5
- Fung DSS, Chang WC, Neo HC, Lim L, Kwek DSK. Family Resilience and Family Coherence. Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore 2006; 35 (Suppl) 10: S24.
- Lim L. Diagnosis and treatment of depression in terminal cancer. SGH Proceedings 2007; 16: 88-96.
- Rajeswari K and Lim LEC. Community Psychosocial Rehabilitation and It's Challenges: Singapore Association for Mental Health's Perspective. ASEAN J Psychiatry 2003; 6 (1): 96-99.
- Tan HY, Choo WC, Doshi S. Lim LEC, Kua EH. A Community Study of the Health-Related Quality of Life of Schizophrenia and General Practice Patients in Singapore. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 2004; 39: 106-112.
- Lim L. Management of Suicidal Patients in a General Hospital Psychiatric Ward. SGH Proceedings 2004; 13(2): 69-72.
- Chua HC, Lim L, Ng TP, Lee T, Mahendran R, Fones C, Kua EH. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Singapore adults. Annals Academy of Medicine 2004; 33(5): S102.
- Lim LEC, Gwee KP and Woo M. Men who commit statutory rape: how are they different from other rapists? Med, Sci Law 2001; 41(2):147-154.
- Gwee KP, Lim LEC and Woo M. The sexual profile of rapists in Singapore. Med, Sci Law 2002; 42(1): 51-56.
- Yap AK, Lim LEC, Ong SH, Chan KL and Chan AOM. The personality profile of molesters. Med, Sci Law 2002; 42 (2): 167-171.
- Lim L, Chan, YH et al. Sexual Assaults in Singapore: a comparative study of rapists and molesters. Med, Sci Law 2002; 42(4): 344-350.
- Fones C. Chua L, Goh LG, Ko SM, Lim L, Low BL, Tay LK, Yap HL, MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Anxiety Disorders, Nov 2003, Ministry of Health.
- Lim L, Mahendran R and Low BL. Panic disorder in Singapore: Clinical features and comparisons with Generalised Anxiety Disorder. Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore 1997, 26:188-92.
- Chan AOM, Lim L, Ong SH. A Review of Outrage of Modesty Offenders Remanded in a State Mental Hospital. Med Sci Law 1997; 37: 349-52.
- Lim LEC, Yap AK, Ong SH, Chan KL and Chan AOM. A study of outrage of modesty offenders in a Singapore prison Med, Sci Law 2000; 40: 245-250.
- Lim LEC, Yap AK, Ong SH, Chan KL and Chan AOM. The sexual habits of males who molest. Med, Sci Law 2000; 40:301-4.
- Lim LEC, Chan KL, Loh MI, Tan LL, Sung M, Straughan PT. A review of offenders remanded in a state psychiatric hospital. Singapore Medical Journal 2000; 41: 114-7.
- Lim LEC, Gwee KP, Woo M and Parker G. Men who commit rape in Singapore. Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2001; 30: 620-4.
Contributions to textbooks
- Lim L. Confronting your Anxiety. Armour Publishing, 2017.
- Lim L, Poon SH. Republic of Singapore, In: Routledge Handbook of Psychiatry in Asia, eds. Bhugra D, Tse S, Ng R, Takei N. Routledge, 2016.
- Lim LEC. Anxiety Disorders including OCD and stress-related disorders, In: Sim K, Sengupta S, Fung DSS, Chee KT (eds). Essential Guide to Psychiatry Singapore: Pearson Education SE Asia Pte Ltd, 2014.
- Lim L. Freedom from Fear: Overcoming Anxiety Disorders. Armour Publishing, 2012.
- Lim L. Psychosocial Aspects of Deliberate Self Harm, In: Textbook of Emergency Medicine, eds. David S, Nelson B, Brown A, Anantharaman V. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011.
- Lim L. Depression: The Misunderstood Illness. Armour Publishing, 2008
- Lim L, Koh D. Mental Illness or Demonisation? Armour Publishing, 2007.
- Lim L (ed). Family Psychosocial Education. Consumers, families and professionals working in tandem towards recovery. APRS, 2005.
- Lim L, Chua H C. Stress Management. In: Mind Matters, eds. Kua EH, Mahendran R and Fung D. Institute of Mental Health, 2002.
- Lim L. Conversion and dissociative disorders. In: Psychiatry for Doctors, eds. Kua EH, Ko SM, Mahendran R, Chee KT and Fones C. National University of Singapore, 2001.
- Lim L. Anxiety, In: I'm not mad, eds. Lim L, Oh T.G. and Mahendran R. SNP Publishers, 2000.
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