Beyond Madness

Journalists are facing threats and hostility in more countries than ever before, according to this year’s World Press Freedom Index, an annual report published by Reporters without Borders. The index analyses legal and physical threats to journalists. This episode focuses on potential consequences - emotional difficulties and compromised well-being. The discussion was filmed with a live audience, featuring a panel with Katy Katopodis, Katleho Sekhotho and Ahmed Kajee. Adcock Ingram

Psychiatry is unique amongst medical disciplines in embracing a truly holistic approach to patient assessment and care. However, in our desire for acceptance and credibility as a medical discipline, has Psychiatry strayed from what makes it unique? Has Psychiatry overcompensated biologically, in order to be viewed as truly medical? In this episode, we are joined by Prof Vikram Patel and Prof Suvira Ramlall. Community pharmacist Sham Moodley then explains the role that some pharmacists can play in counselling patients. Adcock Ingram

Cutting or burning oneself, amongst other behaviours, would be for most anathema. Yet for some it is a source of relief... a release, a way of coping. On this episode, we are joined by Prof Mark Goldblatt and Dr Wendy Duncan. Adcock Ingram

Gender-based violence and sexual assault are traumas potentially associated with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Prof Soraya Seedat and Dr Gerard Labuschagne join us on this episode, as we delve into this pervasive entity in the lives of many South Africans. Adcock Ingram

Employee wellness is a key component of organisational effectiveness. Where ill health and absenteeism or impaired functioning is a consequence of psychiatric illness, the system is faced with challenges that require specific awareness and understanding. For this episode, we are joined by Prof. Stoffel Grobler and Nika Grobler. Jackie Maimin from the Independent Community Pharmacy Association then joins us again to discuss how to get the best from your medical aid benefits. Adcock Ingram

Imagine a condition that makes a person irritable, depressed and self-centred, and is associated with a 26% increase in the risk of premature mortality. Imagine too, that in industrialised countries around a third of people are affected by this condition... and that these proportions are increasing. Such a condition exists – loneliness. We are joined by Dorianne Weil and Liane Lurie for this episode. Adcock Ingram

Adverse Childhood Experiences are increasingly understood to play a significant role in the development of a range of not only psychiatric - but also non-psychiatric - conditions. Experiences such as sexual and physical abuse, as well as neglect, occur frequently in childhood. We are joined by Luke Lamprecht and Edith Kriel for this hard-hitting discussion. Adcock Ingram

Is sex central to our existence? Consider what your life might be like without sex. Sex is also political... and political ideology impacts health behaviours. What has sex and sexuality got to do with psychiatry? Joining us to discuss this are Dr Elna Rudolph and Dr Franco Colin. Adcock Ingram

The role of the news media in reporting events and reflecting social opinion serves to inform consumers. The question is how to balance reporting - providing facts without undue sensation. To discuss the media within the context of suicide reporting, we’re joined by Dr Frans Korb and Prof. Lizette Rabe. Adcock Ingram

Ageing... there’s no escaping it. It has been said that youth is wasted on the young, but what is 'young' – a number, or a state of mind? Dr Lara Greenstein and Professor Carla Kotze are our guests. Jackie Maimin from the Independent Community Pharmacy Association then joins us to discuss the use of medication in the elderly. Adcock Ingram