Department of Psychology
News & Events
September 2011: Combined Alcohol & Social Phobia Trial recruits last participants.
Over 100 people have now participated in the Combined Alcohol & Social Phobia trial, and treatment sessions are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. Follow-up interviews and analysis of the results will continue into 2012, and we will keep continue to provide updates on the website about the results and outcomes. We will be accepting final participants into treatment early October 2011. If you are interested in participating, please contact us as soon as possible to secure your place.
September 2011: Binge drinking and adolescent brain development: Implications for prevention.
CASP researcher Professor Teesson presents her research on the effects of binge drinking on adolescent brain development at the 41st Annual Congress for the European Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies held in Reykjavik, Iceland.
To find out more, visit the EABCT Congress 2011 Website.
**New Research**: Measuring Beliefs About Life
PhD researcher, Lauren McLellan is investigating factors that may influence treatments for psychological distress.The aim of the study is to develop and validate a scale reflecting general beliefs about life. If you are 18 years or over you can help by completing a short anonymous and confidential online survey. The survey takes between 10 and 15 minutes to complete, and after participating you can go in the draw to win a monthly $50 prize.
To access the suvery , click here: Survey: Beliefs about Life
April 2011: "High Society" - Jill Stark writes about her experience of giving up drinking
Sydney Morning Herald reporter Jill Stark reflects on her experiences while giving up alcohol for 12 weeks. She writes that she expected it to be a challenge, but it came as a surprise to her that she enjoyed it...
To read the full story, visit the Sydney Morning Herald online.
28 January 2011: Professor Maree Teesson talks with Tim Webster on 2UE radio.
To listen to CASP researcher Maree Teesson talk about the relationship between alcohol, anxiety and shyness, tune in at 2.00pm on 2UE, or visit the 2UE website for podcasts.
FebFast 2011: Take the challenge and give up drinking for a month
With the new year upon us, giving up or cutting back on alcohol intake is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. This year FebFast is challenging Australians to give up drinking for the shortest month of the year to help raise money for programs that support young people with alcohol and other drug problems. Beneficiaries include the Asutralian Drug Foundation, Mission Australia, and the Ted Noffs Foundation. To find out more, or take part in the challenge, see the FebFast Website.
November 2010: Increased demand for alcohol treatment in sydney
ABC News reports on a surge in demand for alcohol rehab. James Pitts, chief executive of Odyssey House, says that there has been a big increase in binge drinking over the pas 4-5 years, and alcohol-related admissions are at the highest levels in 33 years.
Visit the ABC website to read the full report by Ashley Hall.
November 2010: Alcohol worse than heroin - Impact of alcohol acknowledged
CASP researcher Prof Maree Teesson was in the media talking about UK research on the harms of alcohol compared to other drugs. This research gives us more information about the ways in which alcohol problems can impact on a person's life, their work, family and friends.
Watch Maree on Ten evening news (2nd November 2010)
The original research is David, J. N., Leslie, A. K., & Lawrence, D. P. (2010). Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis. The Lancet. published online 1 Nov 2010.
29th September 2010: Andrew Baillie talks alcohol problems with ABC's Richard Glover
CASP researcher Dr Andrew Baillie discusses drinking problems, and regaining control, with Richard Glover on ABC 702's midweek conference.
September 2010: "More than a million people drink just to feel normal"
Anthony Gough from the Age reports that 1.4 million Australians report that they drink to make them feel normal. The study was conducted as part of the Salvation Army's efforts to increase alcohol awareness, and suggests that 36% of men had in the past consumed more than the recommended amount of alcohol in a single session.
To read this article, visit the The Age news website.
August 2010: "Help for drinkers"
The Inner West Courier and Western Sydney Street Corner report on the opportunity to receive free treatment for social anxiety and alcohol problems at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown. Professor Paul Haber, CASP researcher and drug health specialist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, explains that drinking problems are a particular risk for people with social phobia, who are 2-3 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence. The project is a collaboration with Macquarie University’s Centre for Emotional Health, and participants are now able to acess treatment at either the Camperdown or North Ryde site. The treatment program is unique in providing a combined integrated approach to both problems.
To view these article, visit the Inner West Courier or Western Sydney Street Corner.
August 2010: "One in five experience drinking problems"
Danny Rose, Sydney Morning Herald medical reporter, picks up on CASP researcher Professor Teesson's study showing that Australians rank among the worst in the world in terms of alcohol abuse. These findings came from data collected from almost 9000 Australians for the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in 2007.
To read this article, visit the Sydney Morning Herald news website.
August 2010: "More australians becoming problem drinkers"
SBS reports on CASP researcher Professor Teesson's research which suggests that 22% of the Australian population are seriously affected by alcohol problems. Professor Teesson mentions that stigma is a barrier to accessing treatment, as people are more embarassed to identify as having an alcohol problem compared to another physical or mental illness. However, given the serious consequences linked to problem drinking - access to effective treatments is very important.
To view this article, visit the SBS World News website.
August 2010: Maree Teesson and Paul Haber speak at NDARC annual symposium
CASP researchers Professors Teesson and Haber present at the annual symposium of National Drug & Alcohol Research Council: Applying the evidence: drug and alcohol research in policy and in clinical practice.
To read more, visit the NDARC website.
**New Research**: Do you experience cravings for alcohol?
CASP PhD student Kris Tulloch is investigating the role of craving on alcohol consumption of regular drinkers. Previous research has indicated that the way people think about their cravings may have an impact on the amount of alcohol people drink, and how well they are able to stop drinking. If you are 18 years or older and a regular drinker who experiences cravings for alcohol, you can help by completing this anonymous and confidential online survey. The survey takes 30 minutes to complete and by participating you will be in the running to win a $50 gift voucher!
To access the suvery , click here: Survey: Ever want a drink?
May 2010: Ron Rapee speaks on SBS program insight: Anxiety
CASP researcher Professor Ron Rapee discusses anxiety on SBS program "Insight". Together with Professor Gavin Andrews (St Vincent's Hospital Virtual Clinic), Dr Adam Guastella (Brain Mind Institute) and Dr Sarah Edelman, Professor Rapee discussed issues including how anxiety develops, and how cognitive behavioural therapy can help. Simon Palomares (actor and comedian) shares his personal experience of anxiety.
To view the episode or read the full transcipt, visit the SBS Insight website.
JANUARY 2010: Calls to re-think alcohol sponsorship of Big Day Out music festival
The Sydney Morning Herald 22nd January reports that addiction campaigners have condemned sponsorship of the Big Day Out music festival by major alcohol companies. Held in six cities around Australia, the Big Day Out is open to attendees aged 15 and above, and is expected to attract 100,000 festival-goers in Sydney alone. Professor Currie, addiction medicine specialist at St Vincent's Hospital expressed concern that the promotion of alcohol to young people undermines efforts in preceding years to provide education about the potential dangers of excessive alcohol use.
To read the full story, visit the Sydney Morning Herald online.
To comment on this story, visit our blog Shy Drinker, where we track and comment on issues related to drinking and social anxiety.
JANUARY 2010: Australian patriotism and our love of booze
The Northern District Times and the Mosman Dailly have picked up on CASP researcher Kristen Tulloch's Australia Day opinion piece about "the puzzle of why Aussies love a drop". Kristen notes that alcohol was an important part of life for the early Australian settlers, and tracking forward to today alcohol still seems to form part of our cultural identity, with famous Aussies showing us how it's done. But at what cost?
To read the full story, visit the Mosman Daily or page 34 of the Northern District Times.
To comment on this story, visit our blog Shy Drinker, where we track and comment on issues related to drinking and social anxiety.
SEPTEMBER 2009: Sun herald reports: Survey reveals millions of women drink alcohol before sex because of lack of body confidence
The Sun Herald on 24 September 2009 reports that 75% of the women surveyed liked to drink alcohol to become less inhibited before sex with their husband or boyfriend, while 6 per cent had never had sex sober. Alcohol would appear to pay an integral role in sex and dating, particularly for women lacking in self confidence, however the resulting loss of self control may be reason for concern. Click the link above to read the full story.
To comment on this story, visit our blog Shy Drinker, where we track and comment on issues related to drinking and social anxiety.
SEPTEMBER 2009: CASP researchers present at the 39th congress of the EUropean Association of Behavioural & Cognitive Therapy
CASP researchers Andrew Baillie, Mirjana Subotic, Maree Teesson, Ron Rapee and Lexine Stapinski present on the topic of social phobia and alcohol use problems at the European Association of Behavioural & Cognitive Therapy international congress held in Croatia.
JuLy 2009 ABC Radio National: Professor Maree Teesson discusses Australian mental health Comorbidity
ABC Radio National, 13th July 2009: Along with other guest speakers, CASP researcher Professor Maree Teesson discusses the incidence and implications of comorbidity (the occurrence of more than one disorder or problem at the same time) following results of the most recent National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Click the link above to listen to the full story, or to download the transcript.
June 2009 The Age: Health groups seek tougher drink laws
The Age 16th June reported that the National Coalition for Action on Alcohol Harm is lobbying for tougher laws on alcohol advertising, sports sponsership and drink taxes. These initiatives are hoped to combat the alleged $15 billion cost of heavy drinking. This group expressed concerns over the association between alcohol and sport, and the message portratyed in advertising that alcohol is associated with sexual and business success. Click the link above to read the full story.
May 2009 Sydney Morning herald: When fear takes over
The Sydney Morning Herald 28th May writes about the success of treatment programs at the Emotional Health Clinic and St Vincent's Hospital in helping individuals with social phobia to improve their social confidence and quality of life. Professor Ron Rapee described evidence of a doubled success rate using the enhanced cognitive behavioural treatment developed within the Centre for Emotional Health.
Note: The Centre for Emotional Health also offers a unique treatment option to help adults who experience excessive shyness and drink alcohol at harmful levels. Click here to read more about the CASP program.
May 2009 Khalil Greene, professional American baseballer describes his struggle with social anxiety
Fanhouse writes about Khalil Greene, shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals, whose baseball career has been affected by social anxiety. Nervousness or anxiety in performance situations, such as acting, public speaking, playing music or sport, is a common symptom of social phobia. Often this is related to an intense fear of getting something wrong, or being judged negatively by other people. Other celebrities, including Barbra Streisand, Ricky Williams and Donny Osmond, have also described social anxiety during performance situations (Source: About.com: Social Anxiety).
May 2009 Sunday telegraph article: Survey reveaLs nearly half have had sex they regret because of alcohol
Comment: Dr Andrew Baillie
The Sunday Telegraph for Sunday 10th May reported that “nearly half of Australians have had a drunken sexual encounter they have later regretted”. Alcohol can be a part of a big night out but for some it can lead to regrets the next day. For some shy people alcohol is the way to fit in and it can work very well - so well in fact that you can come to rely upon it. Perhaps drinking is the way to put on a confident or funny mask - to be come the person that its hard to be sober?
For some shy or socially anxious people alcohol can start to be come a problem - perhaps you end up doing embarrasing things and cant just explain them by being drunk. Perhaps you get into other problems with alcohol - related to the Sunday Telegraph article might be unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitited diseases? Perhaps its coments from family or friends or the boss. Maybe its drink driving or a health problem like being overweight or liver problems. Perhaps the mondayitis is getting worse?
By the way - Its not clear how representative the survey was of all Australians so I’m not sure how justifiable it is to say the results apply to all Australians.
-Andrew
To reply to this comment, or post your own comment, visit our blog Shy Drinker, where we track and comment on issues related to drinking and social anxiety.
January 2009: Combined Alcohol & Social Phobia Trial commences
Recruitment, assessment and treatment for the project has commenced. Interested participants are encouraged to contact our intake line directly on (02) 9850 8670.
2008: NHMRC Project Grant Awarded to investigate Treatment of Social Phobia and Alcohol Use
Dr Andrew Baillie, Dr Claudia Sannibale, Associate Professor Maree Teesson, Professor Ronald Rapee and Professor Paul Haber are awarded an NHMRC grant to investigate treatment for alcohol use problems and social phobia.
August 2008: Sunday Life Article "Fear Factor"
The Social Phobia program at the Macquarie University Centre for Emotional Health is featured in Lucinda Schmidt’s article “Fear Factor” in the Sunday Life magazine, August 3, 2008.
2007: National Drug and Alcohol Excellence in Research Award
CASP researchers Dr Andrew Baillie, Dr Claudia Sannibale, Associate Professor Maree Teesson, Professor Paul Haber and their collaborators (Kirsten Morley USYD, Stefanie Leung RPA) won the 2007 National Drug and Alcohol Excellence in Research Award.
Browse our website to find out more: