SUNDAY 10^th NOVEMBER 2002  

NB please see yesterdays show in archives - by order of Bob Falconer we shall no longer use the word Shoplifting - now we shall say Shopstealing :) thanks Bob

- PHOBIAS - 

Call it a phobia, anxiety or panic disorder. Many people are severely disabled by fear to the point where their lives are  centred around avoiding situations that may bring on an attack.  Often people feel they are the only one and worse still worried about seeking help for fear that they will be laughed at. Not true. Help for people with panic disorder and Anxiety is readily available and it works. 

World Health Organisation figures predict that within 2 decades mental illness will be the second highest burden on the world health economy. Anxiety and Depressive illnesses make up the vast majority of these. 

Western Medicine is now about evidence. That is, to be recommended, a treatment must be proven to work through rigorous scientific analysis.                     

According to our guest today - 

Professor  Gavin Andrews, "There are effective treatments for all these disorders, the problem is that even in the wealthy countries like the US, Canada, England or Australia, less than a quarter of sufferers get proven treatments. Clearly we need to do two things; help people to help themselves, and inform people so they can choose wisely if treatment is available. "

Prof Andrews is the Director Anxiety Disorders Clinic at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney and the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders (CRUfAD). He is also a Director of the World Health Organization for Evidence in Mental Health Policy.

try taking the CRUfAD K 10  test to see how anxious or depressed you are - visit   http://www.crufad.com/K10/selfhelpindex.htm

 For many years the only treatment option for people with panic disorder, phobias or anxiety seemed to be Benzodiazepines - the most well known of these is diazepam - often  prescribed under the brand name Valium . While a potent treatment, the problem with this family of drugs is their tendency for addiction.

So people moved from one problem of anxiety  to another of addiction. Groups like TRANX  - tranquilsers recovery and new existance  - were formed offering clinics to help people kick their addiction. 

They work closely with support groups  like PADA - the panic and Anxiety Disorder association who run courses and group sessions for people to deal with their anxiety or phobia .

We will be speaking with Gwenda Cannard from TRANX and PADA 

- Volunteers feel good about life ! -

A survey undertaken  by Deakin University where people rate their satisfaction with life showed that people who engage in voluntary work also enjoy high levels of satisfaction over other aspects of their lives, for example in work and leisure, health, sense of community connection and religion or spirituality.

I suppose I need to ask the question is it the volunteering that gave them the sense of satisfaction or was it because they were satisfied with life that they felt equipped to do voluntary work. 

Either way volunteers are an essential part of our community and deserve all the support and praise for what they do ! 

We'll be speaking to CEO of Volunteering Australia Sha Cordingley about how to become a volunteer

If you would like to find out how right now

 you can visit the   Go Volunteer website

 Also well speak to  Ian Ferres Group Managing Director Australian Unity, who's company partnered with Deakin University to do the research.

to find out more about the well being index - visit  

GENDER REASSIGNMENT SURGERY 

Mr Peter Haertsch is a plastic surgeon. He spoke to us in his capacity as burns specialist a few weeks ago.

Amongst his other areas of expertise Mr Haertsch is also one of only two plastic surgeons in Australia who perform gender reassignment surgery - commonly called a "sex change"

How common is this procedure ? What are the requirements if a person feels they want to change their gender? 

How successful is the surgery ? 

Mr Haertsch  will join us to  explain  the procedure.  

visit Peter Haertsch's web site at http://www.haertsch.com.au/

CELEBRITY CHECK UP  

- Barry Crocker -

Barry Crocker is an Australian Entertainment Icon. A fine singer, comic, and dramatic actor his career spans all aspects of the industry. 

Barry has been recognised by  an Order of Australia for his contribution to the Entertainment Industry and Charity. He's been awarded 4  Logies  including the coveted GOLD LOGIE for most popular TV personality, 4  MO awards, 1 SAMMY,and a PENGIUN. He has also achieved 33 gold records.  

He shot to international stardom in his role as Barry Mackenzie in the hilarious Aussie movie series that bore the character's name. Infact this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Adventures of Barry McKenzie. Barry has hosted his own TV shows and played to live audiences in cabaret at some of the world's most prestigious venues. 

He is also the voice behind the theme to "Neighbours".

His one man show "Banjo" is about to open in Sydney having toured the country with great success. Barry spent years researching the life of Australian poet AB Patterson and this play is about his life. 

Today Barry is taking a break from writing his autobiography to talk to us and put himself  to the test in my Celebrity Check up. 

- DISEASE OF THE WEEK -

 – Asthma – 

Advances in understanding of asthma  and recent improvements in available treatments means that everyone should be able to manage their condition. Asthma is controllable but everyone needs to learn how.  In August this year every GP in the country received a kit from the Federal Health Minister called the "3+ visit plan" . The aim is to encourage people with Asthma to visit their doctor , have their asthma assessed, review their medication and educate them in how to manage their own condition.

to find out more visit

 or call  the Asthma HOTLINE  on 1800 032 495 

We'll be speaking to Dr Ron Tomlins the Chair of the National Asthma Council about the 3+ visit plan 

Dr Jo Douglass, Head of the Asthma and Allergy  Unit  at the Alfred Hospital , will join us in the studio to take your calls on current asthma management 

for more information about Asthma and your local support group visit 

We'll also be talking to  Lee Naylor  who  is a  former Olympian runner,  a mum with a new 10 week old baby , and she's also an advocate for better self management of Asthma. Lee proves that Asthma doesnt have to slow you down ! 

That's Lee next to me in the picture to the right when we launched the Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative which is all about using parks as a healthy place to be - even if you have a medical condition .

 BIG BOYS AND THEIR TOYS

Women get envious of other women's shoes and hand bags but what about blokes .............what toys do men long to own ? I have been given disparaging looks by men when I pull out my cordless drill - "women aren't s'posed to have those,  they're bloke toys" .........

We'll be talking to some men who love their toys ........but don't call them toys in front of them ! 

Barry owns his own train ........no not a model on a table out the back . This is a REAL train ! Magnificently  fitted out with 2 master bedrooms a dining and entertainment area and a gourmet kitchen ! 

Bob loves his dozer. After a hard working week he retires to his property jumps on his bull dozer and shifts  earth  - next week he'll shift it back again - great relaxation ! 

LITERACY 

Recent studies have shown that  the reading skills of 1 in 5 Australians are so poor that they may not be able to read the label on a child's medicine bottle, use and ATM or view this page ! 

There is stigma associated with not being able to read and many people try to cover up their problem rather than seeking assistance. There is help avaiable and the Australian Council for  Adult  Literacy is working hard to address the situation - visit their site by clicking their logo below.

 Jim Thompson, the Western Australian representative on  Australian Council for Adult Literacy, will be joining us to discuss the extent of the problem and the steps being taken to assist those people with reading problems 

  LOVE YOUR WORK 

- Apiarist -

 This afternoon we'll be talking to an apiarist and we'll be discussing the art of Bee Keeping 

SUPERBEE is a working honey factory which exports to over 15 different countries all over the world as well as a tourist attraction welcoming over 200,000 visitors a year. There are two factories one on the Sunshine Coast and the other on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Visiting the factory is free and you can see  the entire process of honey production from the beehive to the bottle. There is a range of things to do and see including watching the Live Beekeeping Show. 

 SPORTS MEDICINE 

 a  medical speciality in evolution

Dr Peter Larkins is a pioneer. An Olympic athlete and a doctor, he combined his passion for sport with his knowledge of medicine to become one of the first Sports Physicians in Australia. 

This speciality recognises the special needs of athletes in relation to injury prevention, rehabilitation, nutrition, motivation and training. 

Peter has a been champion steeplechaser was in our1976 Olympic team .

He is a former president of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation and was a medical advisor to SOCOG in 2000 . He is an AFL doctor and you will know him from radio and TV as well as his regular columns in newspapers.