Services

We provide psychiatric and psychological services

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder. Emotional states like sadness, feeling blue or tearfulness are part of normal human experience. Depression is a common disorder and about 10-20 % of the population in New Zealand will suffer from depression during their lifetime.

Anxiety Disorders

We all feel some anxiety at some time or other. Anxiety may serve as an alerting signal, warning us of external /internal threats and consequently acting as a prompt to take appropriate action. Anxiety disorders are very common and if unrecognised and untreated, can cause severe disability.

Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression

This is a mood disorder in which both depressive (persistent low mood) and manic (elevated or high mood) episodes are experienced. It is usually a recurring (i.e. keeps coming back) disorder that can cause a lot of havoc in all aspects of a person’s life. People with this disorder will experience periods of extreme mood changes but also periods of stable mood during which they may be able to return to everyday routines.

  • Once depression has been diagnosed by your GP/Psychiatrist, it can be effectively treated by:

    –Antidepressant medication
    –Psychological interventions e.g. counselling (various types) and psychotherapy (talking therapy which is of various types).

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects about 1% of the general population. Schizophrenia affects different people in different ways. It is important that schizophrenia is treated as soon as it is diagnosed by a psychiatrist to prevent long-term disability and loss of function.

  • –Self help: learning techniques like relaxation, distraction and education

    –Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    –Medication

  • Usually by medication (antidepressants if depressed and mood stabilisers if depressed and manic):

    –A combination of counselling and psychotherapy (talking therapy) may hasten recovery

    –Hospitalisation may be required for those who are very unwell and are posing a risk to themselves or to others

  • Schizophrenia may be treated using a number of different approaches:

    –Use of antipsychotic medication

    –Psychosocial education programs e.g. education, support, counselling and assistance to return to job/studies/performing daily tasks

    –Ongoing support e.g. housing, monitoring of treatment, support groups