Our Services & Referral Pathway

Services

• Mood Disorders

  The mood disorders are a heterogenous group of conditions including depression and bipolar affective disorder, that significantly affect a person’s emotional state, energy levels, thinking and ability to function. Up to one in five Australians will experience a mood disorder during their life time. Without effective treatment the consequences can be devastating. Sadly, evidence suggests that only one in three people with depression will respond to the first treatment they try and treatment resistance is not uncommon. Our psychiatrists are skilled at evaluating and accurately characterising mood disorders. They develop individualised management plans that are holistic and evidence-based and they are experienced in the use of a wide range of treatment options. Our psychiatrists are persistent in the face of difficult to treat mood disorder and collaborate with patients to achieve the best possible outcomes.

• Anxiety Disorders

  Mild to moderate levels of anxiety are normal and adaptive. Anxiety disorders involve pervasive feelings of fear and uneasiness. Such feelings are often accompanied by repetitive negative thinking patterns that are disproportionate to the situation at hand. Clinically significant anxiety often leads to maladaptive avoidance behaviour and is accompanied by muscle tension, fatigue, sleep disturbance and cognitive difficulties. At least 17% of Australians experience anxiety disorders. These conditions are often under-recognised and under-treated, resulting in prolonged distress and dysfunction. Our psychiatrists have considerable expertise in the assessment and management of anxiety disorder including recognising their comorbid and less-common presentations.

• Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders

  Obsessive compulsive and related disorder including body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania (hair pulling), excoriation (skin picking) disorder and hoarding disorder may be broadly characterised as anxiety disorders. They are however experientially unique and require a specialised and nuanced treatment approach. OCD is common, affecting 2 to 3 % of the population and associated with a significantly reduced quality of life. Despite this, evidence suggests that obsessive compulsive disorders are frequently overlooked, with an average delay of 7 years between onset and diagnosis. Our psychiatrists have undertaken additional training in the management of obsessive-compulsive disorders and work closely with clinical psychologists to deliver effective treatment for these disorders.

• ADHD

  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by pervasive difficulties in focussing and regulating attention. These difficulties are present from childhood and cause both distress and dysfunction. Many people with ADHD also struggle with hyperactivity, that is excessive movement and/ or mental activity and problems with impulse control. People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have difficulty meeting their potential in multiple areas including educational, occupational, social and financial domains. They are also far more likely to experience other mental health disorders and have poor physical health outcomes. Our psychiatrists are skilled in evaluating attentional disorders and offer a range of evidence-based treatments to alleviate the distress, functional impairment and complications associated with the same.

• Personality Disorders

  Personality disorders are characterised by recurrent difficulties in the way someone sees themselves, functions in relationships and regulates their emotions. Such difficulties typically arise from a combination of genetic and temperamental factors and life experiences. Personality disorder are best addressed through psychotherapy and at times medications can be helpful. Our psychiatrists are skilled in recognising, diagnosing and managing personality disorders and their comorbid conditions.

• Perinatal Mental Health Disorders

  Perinatal mental health disorders include any condition affecting the mood, behaviour, wellbeing and/ or daily functioning or an expecting or new parent. New onset or exacerbation of pre-existing mood and anxiety disorder are common during the perinatal period. Our psychiatrists understand the importance of addressing such conditions in a comprehensive manner in to improve the wellbeing of all family members. They are experienced in managing the nuances of perinatal mental health problems and working together in partnership with obstetricians and general practitioners professionally and with a patient’s family members to achieve the best possible outcomes.

• Other Psychiatric Disorders

  We also offer support for a range of other psychiatric disorders, providing personalised treatment to address each patient’s unique needs.