Understand psychopharmacological treatments for anxiety and depression in Australia. These CPD courses cover medication indications, efficacy, and side effects.
Australian psychologists and counsellors who want to understand the medical side of anxiety and depression will find a clear overview in this course by psychiatrist Professor Rita Thom. It describes the clinical features and course of both disorders and their common comorbidities, then sets out the main classes of medication, including SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antidepressants and benzodiazepines, with their mechanisms, side effects and contraindications. The course also looks at managing treatment-resistant depression and recognising when a psychiatric referral is needed, supporting confident collaboration with medical practitioners.
Anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent mental health conditions, often occurring together and presenting with significant comorbidities. In this informative talk, Professor Rita Thom, a highly experienced psychiatrist, provides a comprehensive overview of the psychopharmacological treatment of these disorders.
The session explores the clinical features, progression, and complications of depressive and anxiety disorders, followed by an in-depth discussion of treatment options. Professor Thom details the indications, mechanisms of action, contraindications, efficacy, and side effects of key pharmacological interventions, including SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antidepressants, and benzodiazepines. Special attention is given to the management of treatment-resistant depression and considerations for complex presentations.
This talk offers psychologists a solid grounding in the medical management of anxiety and depression, supporting integrated and collaborative care.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Describe the clinical features and course of anxiety and depressive disorders.
Understand the relationship between anxiety, depression, and common comorbidities.
Identify the primary classes of pharmacological treatments used in clinical practice.
Explain the mechanisms of action, common side effects, and contraindications of these medications.
Recognise when to refer clients for psychiatric review, particularly in cases of treatment resistance.
Engage more confidently in multidisciplinary collaboration with medical practitioners.