The Sceptical Psychiatrist

Unpicking claims in the media about suicide and depression

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:34:00 GMT

In the context of the sad suicides of a number of young people in Geelong, the well known psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, has exaggerated the relationship between depression and suicide.

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Sponsorship and the medical profession: reject industry largess

Thu, 28 May 2009 06:33:00 GMT

It is hard to find an example of post-graduate continuing medical education that doesn't have some drug company involvement. Healthy Skepticism has recently called on all medical colleges and medical schools to implement an immediate ban on pharmaceutical company involvement in medical education.

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Why every medical record should contain a genogram

Tue, 05 May 2009 06:14:00 GMT

Drawing a genogram collects and collates essential data and helps to engage the family. It often enables challenging or embarrassing data to be elicited more readily than through direct history taking...

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Guidelines controversy

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:44:00 GMT

Alasdair Millar (MJA 2009; 190: 446-450) exposes the role of Sanofi-Aventis in the genesis of the expert panel guidelines, “Prevention of venous thromboembolism: best practice guidelines for Australia and New Zealand, fourth edition”.

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A visit to the West Bank

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:39:00 GMT

On a trip to explore what an Australian child psychiatrist might have to offer children in the West bank, I am taken to Ramallah by a taxi driver, who is enraged by the wall. “This is separating Palestinians from Palestinians” he says. Those (like him) with yellow number plates can drive on the Israeli side; those with white cannot. “I have no objection to a wall, put it along the green line, and I will help build it”...

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Behavioural problems

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:02:00 GMT

Least favoured adjective: behavioural. The term is most commonly used in inpatient psychiatric and emergency department settings...

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A healthy dose of anti-psychiatry

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:12:00 GMT

I think being a good psychiatrist involves a healthy dose of anti-psychiatry. We psychiatrists have enormous power over people’s lives and we have to be on the lookout for the damage that can be done...

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