A Piece of My Mind
Parker, Gordon

RRP
A$32.99

Gordon Parker AO, one of Australia's foremost clinical psychiatrists, is known for having strong and provocative views. He's been described as 'charming, witty and erudite', sometimes 'intimidating and intolerant', and 'variously regarded with fear, loathing, admiration and respect'.

In this autobiography, the founder of the Black Dog Institute and Scientia Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales recounts early formative experiences that eventually led to a career in psychiatry, and what he has, in turn, contributed to the profession over four decades.

He also records his concerns about the current models for diagnosing and managing mood disorders, and their weighting to often politically driven clinical guidelines. He offers his views - informed by experience, research and respect for human resilience - on what is 'good psychiatry' and its rewards.

This is a book relevant to all health practitioners - and to those curious about the fascinating world of a psychiatrist and psychiatry - by a man internationally recognised as a leading authority in the field.

Author Information

Gordon Parker AO as the inaugural Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute. He is currently Scentia Professor of Psychiatry at the University of new South Wales and was previously Director of the Devision of Psychiatry at Prince of Wales/Prince Henry hospitals. He has held a number of responsibilities for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, including being Editor of the journal and Chair of its Quality Assurance Committee. He is a respected clinician, an active researcher with a strong international profile and was awarded a Citation laureate in 2004 as the Australian scientist most highly cited in his field. He has led a team of clinician researchers for several decades to pursue better detection and management of mood disorders, and campaigned for greater recognition of bipolar II disorder in Australia.

Parker has also worked as a creative writer - writing for The Mavis Bramston Show - a cartoonist for Oz magazine and The Bulletin, a book reviewer for major newspapers, and an ABC Science broadcaster. His first book of fiction was published in 1966 and in 2004 his play, Personality Games, was produced in Melbourne.