News Desk, Depression and Bipolar, Lawson Clinic

Helping to understand why November 2011 WHY? It's the question that haunts family members and friends when a person chooses to take their own life. Now, that very question will be the focus of a major research project, examining why suicide rates of farmers are up to more than double general suicide rates. The Black Dog Institute's executive director Professor Gordon Parker said it was important to note while suicide could be a consequence of mental illness, it was not always the case. "Clearly frustration and desperation, especially if financially driven, can drive such thinking and behaviours," Professor Parker said.
Black Dog Institute is 10 Years Old November 2011 The Black Dog Institute celebrated its 10th anniversary at a Gala Dinner on Thursday 3 November at Doltone House in Sydney. 600 guests turned out for the occasion to enthusiastically support the work of the Institute. The NSW Governor, Her Excellency, Marie Bashir, who is also Patron of the Institute, NSW Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, and many other current and former politicians, corporate leaders, university and health professionals as well as sportspeople, also paid tribute to the inaugural Executive Director, Professor Gordon Parker, who is stepping down from the job at the end of the year.
Andrew Robb's battle with depression September 2011 Liberal MP and Black Dog Institute ambassador, Andrew Robb, candidly talks about the battle with depression in his book titled"Black Dog Daze" Public Life, Private Demons, which was launched last night. Two years ago, Mr Robb announced he was suffering depression and took a brief break from public life. Now he has written about it and is urging others to seek help.
Specialist care for patients July 2011 An editorial in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) reinforces the importance of doctors being prepared to refer patients with psychiatric disorders to specialists. Read the News Release, Editorial and Paper in the MJA.
Children of Bipolar Parents Are Overly Sensitive to Stress Hormone Cortisol, Study Finds May 2011 Children whose mother or father is affected by bipolar disorder may need to keep their stress levels in check. A new international study, led by Concordia University, suggests the stress hormone cortisol is a key player in the mood disorder. The findings published in Psychological Medicine, are the first to show that cortisol is elevated more readily in these children in response to the stressors of normal everyday life.
Treatment for Depression Is a Long-Term Solution, Study Suggests April 2011 The School of Public Health at the University of Alberta, recently completed a study that suggests that treatment of depression may have long-term benefits. Getting treatment for depression may have long-term benefits. It's common that depressed individuals will have a partial remission of symptoms where they feel better but some symptoms remain; those people have poor long-term outcomes. It's important to have successful treatment that deals with all of your symptoms, for long term remission.
Professor Calls for higher standards April 2011 Professor Gordon Parker, Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, has told Psychiatry Update e-Newsletter he would like to see better training – in particular clinical expertise - of psychologists involved in the care of people with mood disorders. He observed that some psychologists are unlikely to be able to distinguish between biological depression and life-event depression, and bipolar and non-bipolar mood disorders.
Seminar: GPs, Management of Bipolar Disorder in Women 31 March 2011 Dr Barnes' talk will be interactive and case studies and small group discussion will be utilised with a focus on increasing skills in screening and identification of bipolar disorder in women, increasing awareness of common misdiagnoses, common physical and mental co-morbid conditions which can affect diagnosis, treatment and outcomes in women, updating knowledge on the current evidence based treatment interventions for bipolar disorder in women and updating knowledge on complex issues regarding the treatment of bipolar disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr Barnes is a Black Dog Institute psychiatrist and consults at The Lawson Clinic. She has published several papers in the area of depression and bipolar disorder and acute psychiatry. She has presented at numerous National and International Conferences and in 2007 she was awarded one of seven International Awards as a 'Lilly Young Investigator Fellow in Bipolar Disorders' at the Seventh International Conference on Bipolar Disorder. GPs interested in attending, should RSVP by contacting reception on (02) 9418 4488.
Treatment for Manic-Depressive Illness Restores Brain Volume Deficits February 2011 Lithium, introduced in the late 1940's, was the first "wonder drug" in psychiatry. It was the first medication treatment for the manic and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder and it remains among one of the most effective treatments for this disorder. In a massive research effort published in Biological Psychiatry, eleven international research groups collaborated to pool brain imaging data from adults with bipolar disorder. They found that bipolar patients taking lithium displayed significantly increased hippocampal and amygdala volume compared with patients not treated with lithium and healthy comparison subjects. Cerebral volume reduction was also significantly associated with illness duration in bipolar individuals.
Bipolar II Research February 2011 Research in bipolar disorder has suggested that recovery from the illness consists of a three-pronged approach involving medication, information/education about the disorder, and having a plan or strategy to remain well. The research will examine the latter two psychosocial approaches to recovery in bipolar disorder by way of an 8-session group psychoeducation program for adults (30 – 70 years of age) that incorporates the development of an individualised comprehensive Wellbeing Plan across sessions. The research study is a collaboration between The Lawson Clinic, the Black Dog Institute and the University of New South Wales.
Better Screening for Bipolar Disorder December 2010 The Sydney Morning Herald has published an article in which Professor Gordon Parker, Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute said that some doctors were incorrectly diagnosing patients with depression rather than bipolar disorder leading to inappropriate and dangerous treatment. Professor Parker calls for better screening for bipolar disorder. Many GPs, psychologists and psychiatrists did not consider that their patients may be bipolar. “They are seeing professionals who don't bother to screen for it,” Professor Parker said. “'People get the wrong diagnosis and they don't get the right treatment.” On average, people wait 10 – 20 years to be given a bipolar diagnosis and are dying because doctors are not screening them for bipolar disorder and diagnosing them with depression instead. Read the Sydney Morning Herald article here
Seminar: GPs, Depression in old age November 2010 The difficult changes that many seniors face – such as the death of a spouse or medical problems – can lead to depression, especially in those without a strong support system. But depression is not a normal or necessary part of aging. In fact, most older adults are satisfied with their lives despite the challenges of growing old. Left alone however, depression not only prevents older adults from enjoying life like they could be, it also takes a heavy toll on health. Dr Hunter’s presentation will focus on how to spot the signs of depression in seniors and will discuss effective treatment strategies with a view to assisting seniors remain happy and vibrant throughout the golden years.
Charmaine’s Dark Secret October 2010 Charmaine Drugan was a Channel 10 newsreader, had an adoring partner and a large and loving network of family and friends. However behind Charmaine’s brilliant smile, lied a dreadful secret. Charmaine battled depression for most of her adult life until one day three years ago she decided to end it. The worst fears of those close to her were realised however when the coroner inquiring into her death made findings that Charmaine was let down by the very people she turned to for help, the medical profession. Instead of having depression, she was likely to have suffered from bipolar disorder. Professor Gordon Parker Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute who was an expert witness at the coronial inquiry, was interviewed for the program. Professor Parker said: “The coroner recommending that all health professionals dealing with people with mood disorders need to screen for bipolar disorder, and that there are better tools for screening for bipolar disorder, I think means that many lives are likely to be saved as a consequence of that”. View the 60 Minutes Program about Charmaine Drugan here
Exercise & Mood September, 2010 Libby Trickett, the Black Dog Institute’s Exercise Your Mood Week ambassador, has revealed to the Sunday Telegraph her family’s extensive battle with depression. She said her decision to return from retirement was a help to lift dark moods. The three-time gold medal winner - who announced her swimming comeback this week - has never formally been diagnosed with the illness. But, in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Trickett says she has had low periods and claims it was competitive swimming from a young age that saved her from a downward spiral. Read the full story in the Sunday Telegraph WATCH A VIDEO NEWS RELEASE ABOUT EXERCISE YOUR MOOD WEEK FEATURING LIBBY TRICKETT, RICHARD HARRY AND PROFESSOR GORDON PARKER [WMV 6min 01 sec]
Tackling Depression at Work August, 2010 A new Black Dog Institute book is due for release in October 2010, "Tackling Depression at Work. A practical guide for employees and managers" by Kerrie Eyers and Gordon Parker, published by Allen & Unwin. You can't park your depression at a Mood Care Centre when you go off to work. More than 10 per cent of people in the workforce struggle with depression, from the mild and temporary through to the severe and disabling forms. Tackling Depression at Work explains the key issues that arise and offers proven strategies. It covers sensitive issues of disclosure and privacy, and shows how organizations can support workers to seek professional to stay well. With insightful advice from workers who've learned to manage their disorder on the job, Tackling Depression at Work is a useful source of information for any worker with depression, whether it's temporary or an ongoing condition. It is also a resource for line managers and human resource managers.
Snapping the Black Dog July, 2010 If a picture tells a thousand stories, the Black Dog Institute has unearthed nearly half a million from a photographic competition - Snapping the Black Dog - that looked at capturing hope and resilience through the eye of the lens. The competition, conducted with sponsorship from Nikon Australia, attracted around 450 entries from all over Australia and overseas. Winner of the first prize, a Nikon D5000 SLR twin lens kit (valued at $1699) was Nicolette Quittner from Mosman NSW. Nicolette described her photograph (pictured) as the "confrontation of what is seemingly negative with something positive, vibrant and hopeful”. Nicolette asks the question of what is the instigating factor that marks the difference between a good day and a bad day. In her mind, it is resilience, strength and attitude – and, which on that particular day, says ‘no’ to negative thinking.
Bipolar puts strain on families May 2010 Professor Gordon Parker speaks about the increase in bipolar disorders amongst schoolchildren in Australia and the difficulty in diagnosing depressive illnesses in adolescents. He stated “Counselors on the North Shore used to see one in 100 in years 10 to 12 but now it’s five to seven in 100”. Professor Parker observed that GPs should be seen as referrers to more sophisticated treatments. Read the North Shore Times article here
The use of older stimulants in treating mood disorders April 2010 It is often challenging to find the appropriate combination of medications for people with melancholic depression or bipolar depressions who are treatment resistant. A new study conducted by researchers at the Black Dog Institute into the use of older stimulants found that there were distinct clinical benefits for a significant percentage of patients in a study of 50 patients of whom 60% were female and with an average age of 59 years. The study has been published in the latest internationally renowned psychiatric journal, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
Push to have “Melancholia” listed in the DSM March 2010 Sydney psychiatrists at the Black Dog Institute and The Lawson Clinic are leading a controversial global push to stop doctors over-diagnosing depression, giving patients unnecessary treatments and putting lives at risk. They are seeking to have the 2500 year old condition of melancholia listed in the DSM which is used by mental health practitioners and psychiatrists around the world to diagnose mental illnesses. Read the Sydney Morning Herald article Read the article that appeared in the UNSW publication 'Uniken' Read the article that appeared on the ABC's Unleashed website
Seminar: GPs, Navigating Teenage Depression November 2009 & May 2010 First symptoms of depression often occur during teenage years, and it can be a disturbing and confusing time for families as well as the teenager themselves. Experienced clinician and researcher Professor Gordon Parker will outline how to systematically identify different mood disorders and contributing factors in adolescents. Dinner and drinks will be provided. To RSVP please telephone the clinic on (02) 9418 4488.
Seminar: GP Strategies for Managing Bipolar Disorder 3 September, 2009 Dr Iain Macmillan, Clinical Director, Black Dog Institute will present a seminar for GPs on strategies for managing bipolar disorder. Dr Macmillan is a leading world expert on mood disorders and will provide GPs with practical advice. The seminar will be held at Crows Nest from 6.30 pm. Dinner and drinks will be provided. To RSVP please telephone the clinic on (02) 9418 4488.
Match the Treatment to the Malady 13 August, 2009 Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, Professor Gordon Parker, talks with Sydney Morning Herald journalist, Miranda Devine, about the system of diagnosing and classifying mood disorders. As Professor Parker explains, depression is not an "It" or "a one size fits all disorder". But for almost 30 years, psychiatry has defined depression vaguely as a single condition which varies only in severity - major or minor depression. Professor Parker said this had led to over-diagnosis to a ridiculous extent. Read the full article in the Sydney Morning Herald
A Close Look at Bipolar II 25-26 July, 2009 Journalist, Jill Margo, takes a look at the many questions surrounding bipolar II disorder in an article in this week's Weekend Australian Financial Review. It contains interviews with leading authorities from the Black Dog Institute - Professor Gordon Parker, Executive Director; and Dr Iain Macmillan, Clinical Director. Although studies show bipolar II commonly emerges in adolescence, Professor Parker says the majority of people are never diagnosed and those that are, usually receive the diagnosis some 15 years later.
Seminar: The ups and downs of Bipolar Disorder – a patient’s perspective 12 March 2009 The presenter will be former Wallaby prop Enrique “Topo” Rodriguez. Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 1996, Topo is rated as one of the best rugby players the game has known. He was born in Argentina and came to Australia in the 80s. He joined the Wallabies at a time when they came to dominate world rugby and Topo's abilities earned him a fan following that was almost cult-like. Topo excelled with a triple International Rugby Union career, playing 15 tests for Argentina, 26 for Australia and one for Tahiti. However amidst all this triumph, Topo was being stalked by undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder. Topo will present his own personal story about his struggle with Bipolar Disorder and the road that led to recovery. GPs may RSVP by calling the Clinic on (02) 9418 4488.
Concerns on Schizophrenia & Bipolar Disorder study 20 January, 2009 Professor Gordon Parker, Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, has expressed concerns with a Swedish study that suggests schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share common genetic causes and the two conditions may simply be the different manifestations of the same disease. The question of whether the two mental illnesses are distinct entities or represent a disease continuum is widely debated in psychiatry and the report, published in The Lancet , calls for a rethink on the way schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are classified. Professor Parker told the Sydney Morning Herald that he would be immensely worried if the two conditions were reappraised into the one all encompassing illness. Speaking with Tim Webster on 2UE, Professor Parker said there was a real risk of over treatment for some patients. He said he believed the group that would be particularly affected by any such change would be those with bipolar disorder who keep their condition under control with minimal medication. Read the article in The Lancet Read the Sydney Morning Herald article
Antidepressants on trial: How valid is the evidence? 19 January 2009 Last year, there was considerable international media focused on a British analytic study which argued that new antidepressants were basically ineffective. Today, Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, Professor Gordon Parker, argues that no clinician or researcher could interpret anything meaningful from the study because the randomised controlled database was so “intrinsically flawed”. The ‘apples’ assessed in such trials do not correspond to the ‘oranges’ in clinical practice, resulting in a real disconnect between clinical practice and randomised trials. Also, trial components contribute to the disconnect, said Professor Parker. The antidepressant drugs referred to are the dual action types such as SNRI’s and SSRI’s. His comments are contained in a paper, titled ‘Antidepressants on trial: how valid is the evidence?’ just published in the British Journal of Psychiatry which critically analyses a paper published last year by Kirsch and colleagues. Read the news release Read the abstract Read the full article
Seminar: a logic for interviewing a new patient with a Mood Disorder 16 October 2008 The Lawson Clinic and Black Dog Institute present a talk for GPs (general practitioners) by Professor Gordon Parker. Please RSVP by 13 October 2008 by calling the Clinic on (02) 9418 4488.
Bipolar II Seminar for GPs May 2008 Bipolar II may be described as a silent epidemic in Australian society and findings by the Black Dog Institute indicate that up to 6% of Australians may be impacted. Underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of bipolar II as a unipolar depressive illness are frequently reported. Our psychiatrists, will address the markers of bipolar II and give practical guidance on how to detect this condition. Current management strategies will also be discussed.
Pioneer Clinic to fight depression & bipolar disorder March 2008 The first mental health facility in Australia to offer treatment for depression and bipolar disorder, based on a Model developed by the world renowned Black Dog Institute, has opened in Sydney. The Lawson Clinic at Gordon (named after the Australian bush poet Henry Lawson who suffered from manic-depressive mood swings) is a private outpatient clinic where patients affected by depression or bipolar disorder can receive an expert assessment identifying their type of mood disorder as well as ongoing care.

Concerns on Schizophrenia & Bipolar Disorder study

20 January, 2009