The Missing Piece- Autism and ADHD diagnosis in youth mental health

In this episode, autism and ADHD are often the missing piece in community mental health - and if you work with young people, this conversation shows why that gap matters. Dr Sonia Kumar and psychologist Dr Eduardo break down how their Western Sydney, Youth Enhanced Support Service (YESS) identifies neurodevelopmental conditions inside real-world mental health care, not in isolation, and why that changes everything.Dr Sonia Kumar- Dr Sonia Kumar is a consultant psychiatrist with over 15 years' experience treating the full spectrum of mental health problems. She has special interests in mood disorders, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, women’s mental health, perinatal issues and youth mental health (ages 16-25). She provides a comprehensive mental health assessment and individualised treatment plan for each patient, combining medication, psychological therapies and lifestyle changes. Dr Kumar takes a collaborative approach, focusing on patient education and building positive mental health. She also works in psychiatry education and is a writer and editor of mental health information online.Eduardo Concepcion – Eduardo Concepcion is a Registered Psychologist and Senior Mental Health Clinician at the Youth Enhanced Support Service – Western Sydney. He works primarily with in youth mental health with an interest in delivering individual and group-based therapies (e.g., CBT, DBT, RO-DBT) to young people who fall in the “missing middle” as part of a multi-disciplinary team. He is also experienced in the assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD both as part of a community mental health team and in private practice. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode we delve into the bilateral relationship between oral health and psychiatry. Dr. Ava Carter brings a rare dual perspective as a consultation-liaison psychiatrist and practicing dentist, while Professor Kisely explains why oral health has been overlooked for far too long in medicine and psychiatry. Together, they discuss why poor access to dental care is becoming a crisis for patients who already face the steepest barriers, and how psychiatrists and carers can help those who are struggling with both mental and oral health. Dr Ava Carter : Dr Ava Carter is a dental surgeon and consultation liaison psychiatrist. She is passionate about collaborating to improve outcomes and steer system change in healthcare organisations, and is driven to elevate the voices of those with lived and living experience of mental health and complex medical conditions. She is particularly passionate about governance, accreditation, and is a strong believer that the intersection of these areas with clinicians expertise helps organisations best serve their communities. She has recently completed a Churchill Fellowship on models of care for people with Severe Mental Illness and innovative ways to find solutions to accessing dental care. Professor Stephen Kisley: Professor Kisely is a psychiatrist and public health physician with health services research experience in the UK, Australia & Canada. After graduating from the University of Bristol, he worked in New Zealand in various medical and surgical specialties, before starting psychiatric training in Auckland. He finished his psychiatric training in Western Australia & Manchester, including a Masters degree by research on atypical chest pain. While working as a lecturer in psychiatry he completed a research Doctorate on the effect of physical disorder on psychiatric outcome in primary care. Professor Kisely worked at the Universities of Western Australia and Dalhousie University in Canada before returning to Australia in 2007.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, we discover the use of AI in psychiatry education and whether Colleges, supervisors, and trainees will use it well and safely. Dr Nardine Elzahaby, Professor Andrew Teodorczuk, and Dr Michael Weightman break down what responsible AI use looks like in training, supervision, and assessment, and why the biggest risk is not the technology itself, but using it to bypass thinking.Dr Nardine Elzahaby is a Consultation-Liaison psychiatrist and the unit Director of the Adult Mental Health Service at Dandenong hospital, Monash Health. She runs a Telehealth Psychiatry clinic. She is a former co-founder, co-director and tutor at IMGSOS, an online tutoring business for IMG and local graduates of medicine, pharmacy and dentistry. She is interested in Telehealth implementation and the use of AI in psychiatry, business, mentoring and doctors’ health. Professor Andrew Teodorczuk is a consultant old age psychiatrist at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) in Brisbane, holding adjunct professor positions at the University of Queensland (UQ) and Queensland University of Technology. Currently President of the Australasian Delirium Association, Prof Teodorczuk joined the RANZCP as Executive Dean of Education in February 2026. Raised in the UK, Professor Teodorczuk was an honorary senior lecturer at Newcastle University and consultant psychiatrist at Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Mental Health Trust. In Australia since 2016, he has held senior leadership roles including Deputy Head of School (Learning and Teaching) at the School of Medicine, Griffith University, MD Program Convenor at the Medical School, UQ and Director Medical Education at Metro North Mental Health. As Director of Clinical Training for PCH he implemented the new AMC National Framework for Prevocational medical training. Publishing over 120 peer-reviewed publications, Professor Teodorczuk has received numerous teaching and research awards. Dr Michael Weightman is a consultant psychiatrist with the Eastern Community Mental Health Service in Adelaide. He also works part-time as a lecturer with the Discipline of Psychiatry at Adelaide University in a role supporting clinical placements and student assessment. Michael is currently undertaking a PhD investigating the impact of AI on psychiatry education and training. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Ernest Hunter is joined by Katie Papertalk and Dianna Jans for a powerful conversation about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health, trauma, and what true cultural safety looks like in remote communities. They explore why one-size-fits-all psychiatry often falls short, how intergenerational trauma and stigma shape help-seeking, and why listening to community, respecting kinship, and building trust matter as much as any clinical intervention.Drawing on decades of experience in Aboriginal health, social work, grief and bereavement, and community trauma, Katie and Dianna share hard-earned insights into the realities of remote care, the legacy of forced removals and missions, and the need for culturally informed support that starts with relationships. This episode offers an urgent and thoughtful look at what real change requires in mental health services.Professor Ernest Hunter spent most of his working life in remote Indigenous communities of northern Australia where his training in adult and child psychiatry, and public health, has foregrounded an understanding history and context as critical to engagement, influence and care. Katie Papertalk Pioneer/Leader/ Educator/Trainer and over 30 years of working in the Aboriginal Mental Health Sector Fathers' country Yamatji Mullewa Wadjarri Midwest region of WA. She is currently living and working on Kariyarra country in Port Hedland. She recently retired from working in Mental Health and Community across the Pilbara region and WA.Diana Jans has worked extensively over the last 35 years in Cape York in the fields of trauma, maternal child health and education. Diana comes from Mapoon, north of Weipa -Tjungundji & Taepithiggi country and has cultural connections to her grandmother's country of Booroloola in the Gulf - Waanyi country. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode we delve into the history of trepanning and the practice of drilling holes into the skull for medical and spiritual purposes.  Follow along Robert Kaplan's narration on the life of Amanda Fielding who self-practised the dangerous and highly risky trepanning. Dr. Robert Kaplan is a psychiatrist, author, historian and speaker. With a career spanning medicine, history, and the courtroom, he has explored the human mind at its darkest and most complex, from analysing criminal behaviour to uncovering the psychological drivers behind some of history’s most notorious figures.Dr. Kaplan is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney University, and the University of Wollongong. He is also a Conjoint Lecturer, Justice Health at the University of New South Wales and a Research Fellow in the History Department at Stellenbosch University. His forensic expertise has been called upon in some of the most complex and high-profile cases, where his sharp insights into human behaviour have shaped both medical and legal understandings of criminal pathology.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this podcast, we hear about an experience in psychiatric practice which has such an impact on the clinician that it leads to adopting a radical and enduring change in his subsequent clinical, teaching, and research activities. Emeritus Professor Sidney Bloch shares such an experience with Professor Shuichi Suetani which occurred in the early phase of his training. The experience proved so pivotal that it transformed key aspects of his professional work, especially his outlook on the ethical dimension of the clinician’s role. In a sensitive dialogue, Professors Suetani and Bloch discuss the ramifications of such a situation, especially the options available to identify in what way it is transformative and how to adopt the related change in one’s professional perspective.Professor Sidney Bloch, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the Academy of Social Sciences of Australia (FASSA). He was awarded a Citation by the RANZCP for his academic contribution to psychiatry. He spent three years at Stanford University on a Harkness Fellowship and has been a visiting Professor in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong, Hebrew University, and Columbia University.He has published 16 books, several of which have been brought out in new editions and/or translated. Russia’s Political Hospitals won the prestigious Guttmacher Award of the American Psychiatric Association, Understanding Troubled Minds the SANE award for the best book on mental health in 2012, and an award for An Anthology of Psychiatric Ethics from the British Medical Association.Professor Shuichi Suetani is a community psychiatrist in Queensland. Alongside his psychiatry training, Shuichi completed a PhD exploring the epidemiological relationships between physical activity and mental disorders. He has also obtained the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine Fellowship. Shuichi has numerous publications in high impact journals and sits on the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Psychiatry. He was elected to the RANZCP Board in May 2026.References:Baldwin, J. Giovanni’s room, Penguin, 2007.David, a young American, grapples with the nature of love, sexuality and masculinity. A classic on the clash between sexual and moral identity.Bancroft, John. Aversion therapy of homosexuality. A pilot study of 10 cases. British Journal of Psychiatry, 1969, 115, 1417-31.Isherwood, C. A single man. Vintage Classic, 2010.A day in the life of a middle -aged academic who has lost a long-term male partner, is wrestling with his intense grief, and embarks on an encounter with Kenny, one of his students. Stoller, R., et al. A symposium: Should homosexuality be in the American Psychiatric Nomenclature? American Journal of Psychiatry, 1973, 130, 1207-1216.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Matthew Macfarlane uncovers how the internet, social media, societal change, and our own psychology are fueling the rise of inflated and sometimes harmful diagnoses. Discover the surprising ways that diagnostic labels can shape identity, offering understanding and validation, while also, at times, contributing to expectations or limitations.Associate Professor Matthew Macfarlane is a consultation-liaison psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist working at Wollongong Hospital, NSW. He also works in the Discipline Lead in Psychiatry role at the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong. In these roles, he works with people with functional disorders and chronic disorders of central sensitisation and interoception. His research interests include functional neurological disorder, catatonia, neuroimaging, and sleep medicine. References:  Foulkes, L. and J. L. Andrews (2023). "Are mental health awareness efforts contributing to the rise in reported mental health problems? A call to test the prevalence inflation hypothesis." New Ideas in Psychology 69. Hacking I. “Rewriting the Soul: Multiple Personality and the Sciences of Memory.” Princeton University Press, 1998. O’Sullivan S. “The Age of Diagnosis.” Hachette, 2025.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode we continue our conversation with six incredible female forensic psychiatrists as they dive into the complex issues faced by professionals working with vulnerable youth in forensic settings. From ongoing trauma to media portrayals and resource limitations, our panel shares insights, personal experiences, and advice for aspiring adolescent forensic psychiatrists.Dr Shaileigh Gordon is a Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist working in Queensland in various roles across the public adolescent and adult forensic mental health service. She also provides private medicolegal assessments within the criminal and family court systems.Dr Katherine Watson is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychiatrist in Queensland. She works in a variety of roles in the public and private sectors, as well as providing medicolegal assessments and reports for criminal and civil matters. Dr Katie Niven is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Western Australia. She is currently working for the community-based Child and Adolescent Forensic Service and the Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Service at Banksia Hill Detention Centre. She also provides Psychiatric in-reach services to the Perth Children’s Court. Dr Meredith Gray is a forensic psychiatrist, currently completing the child certificate, who has worked across various roles in NSW and Victoria, particularly in the areas of fixated threats and stalking. She is the Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist working statewide in Tasmania, where a new service is being established to provide throughcare across detention, court and community settings. She also provides private medicolegal assessments for civil and criminal matters.Dr Annie Parsons is a Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist working in New South Wales with young people who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, the criminal justice system.Dr Kimberley Juers is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who is currently undertaking the Certificate of Advanced Training in Forensic Psychiatry. She works across both child and adult forensic mental health services in South Australia.Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode we unlock the realities of adolescent forensic psychiatry through the voices of five pioneering women in the field. Delve into the complexities, risks, and rewards of working at the intersection of mental health, the justice system, and gender. From safety precautions to gendered challenges, this episode uncovers the nuanced experience of being a woman in one of psychiatry’s most demanding subspecialties—an area often misunderstood by the public and media alike.Dr Shaileigh Gordon is a Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist working in Queensland in various roles across the public adolescent and adult forensic mental health service. She also provides private medicolegal assessments within the criminal and family court systems.Dr Katherine Watson is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychiatrist in Queensland. She works in a variety of roles in the public and private sectors, as well as providing medicolegal assessments and reports for criminal and civil matters. Dr Katie Niven is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Western Australia. She is currently working for the community-based Child and Adolescent Forensic Service and the Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Service at Banksia Hill Detention Centre. She also provides Psychiatric in-reach services to the Perth Children’s Court. Dr Meredith Gray is a forensic psychiatrist, currently completing the child certificate, who has worked across various roles in NSW and Victoria, particularly in the areas of fixated threats and stalking. She is the Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist working statewide in Tasmania, where a new service is being established to provide throughcare across detention, court and community settings. She also provides private medicolegal assessments for civil and criminal matters.Dr Annie Parsons is a Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist working in New South Wales with young people who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, the criminal justice system.Dr Kimberley Juers is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who is currently undertaking the Certificate of Advanced Training in Forensic Psychiatry. She works across both child and adult forensic mental health services in South Australia.References:Dr Gwen Adshead – The Reith Lectures: BBC Audio | The Reith Lectures | Gwen Adshead - Four Questions about ViolenceDr Gwen Adshead’s and Eileen Horne’s book – The Devil You Know: Encounters in Forensic Psychiatry: The Devil You Know: Encounters in Forensic Psychiatry by Gwen Adshead | GoodreadsGray, M., Mccarthy, J., Mawren, D., Cooper, S., Simms, C., & Pathe, M. (2025). A descriptive study of young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder referred to a Fixated Threat Assessment Centre. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 32(4), 632-644.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12291179/The Australian Forensic Psychotherapy Association - https://www.australianforensicpsychotherapy.com.au/Southport inquiryQueensland Child Safety Commission of Inquiry: Child Safety Commission of InquiryWatson, K., Harden, S., & McKeon, G. (2025). Involuntary celibacy: A brief history of the ‘Incel’ movement, and clinical considerations for psychiatrists. Australasian Psychiatry, 33(6), 896-901. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10398562251351509Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

This is the four and final part of the series on Psychopathology. This conversation delves into the complexities of mood disorders, exploring the distinctions between normal emotional states and pathological conditions. The discussion covers various aspects of mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, melancholia, self-harm, and mania, emphasising the importance of understanding the subjective experiences of individuals. The speakers highlight the challenges faced by clinicians in emergency settings and the need for a nuanced approach to diagnosis and treatment.  Dr Vinesh Gupta DPM, MRCPsych, FRANZCP, PGCME is an accomplished psychiatric reporter with extensive experience in child, adolescent, and forensic psychiatry, currently serving as the Medical Co-Director at the Royal Perth Hospital. Dr Gupta is recognised for his leadership roles and his significant contributions to mental health services and forensic psychiatry, demonstrating expertise in complex clinical situations, and multidisciplinary service provision.   Professor Femi Oyebode is honorary professor of psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham. He is the author of Sims' Symptoms in the Mind: Textbook of Descriptive Psychopathology 4-7th editions. Topic suggestion:If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.Please contact us by email at: [email protected]:This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.