Psychiatry

	Profile

Staffed by academic psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, the Discipline of Psychiatry is responsible for teaching and research in the field of mental health.

Clinical and research expertise in the discipline includes the following broad areas:
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• Addictive disorders
  A number of staff members are internationally recognized for their work in addictive disorders. They are particularly interested in: comorbidity; brief interventions; substance dependence treatment outcomes; psychological models of addiction; addiction genetics; craving and anticraving agents; and quality of life in addiction


• Psychosis
  Early psychosis intervention is a major area of research. Aspects of this work include the evaluation of the effectiveness of early psychosis services and interventions and clinical trials for the treatment of psychosis


• Child & adolescent psychiatry
  Currently, the emphasis in child and adolescent psychiatric research is into suicide and self-harm prevention; early intervention for depression; and young people’s attitudes to alcohol and drugs.


• Old Age Psychiatry
  The major focus of research in the field of old age psychiatry is the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia with particular emphasis on factors which may help to predict the development of these symptoms. Other areas of interest include clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease; the detection and measurement of anxiety in the elderly; and predictors of post-stroke depression.


• Psycho-oncology
  Research efforts in the field of psycho-oncology are concentrated on the development of coping strategies for people with advanced cancer, with a particular emphasis on families. The development of national psychosocial treatment guidelines for cancer patients and the education and training of staff are other important activities


• Service delivery
  Several academic staff members have interests in service delivery. The Discipline of Psychiatry is currently leading a multisite project with the aim of promoting the physical health and well-being of people with chronic or recurring mental disorders.

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