Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Mental illness is one of the most common afflictions of developed communities with morbidity and mortality increasing each year. Australian data indicates that large segments of our population are at risk for mental illness, that a large component of mental illness is first seen in primary care settings where it is often unrecognised or inadequately managed. General practitioners intimate knowledge of patients, families and communities mean that they are ideally placed to provide effective primary care in depression and anxiety. This unit will explore issues such as the management and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Recognize common presentations of mood disorders particularly depression, anxiety and mania
2. Identify the risk factors and underlying causes of mood disorders particularly depression, anxiety and mania
3. Apply a systematic approach to assess the severity of different types of mood disorders
4. Describe the effects of mood disorders, including issues of morbidity and mortality.
5. Develop a rationale for choice of treatment(s).
6. Outline the current classification of mood disorders, particularly depression and anxiety disorders.

Assessment

Journal activities (Pass/fail)
2 Case reports (50% each)

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Leon Piterman

Prohibitions

CGP1002, CGP1003