Dr Bernadka Dubicka BSc, MBBs, MRCPsych, MD

I am currently a principle investigator on the multi-site IMPACT trial of psychological treatments for adolescent depression, together with the Universities of Cambridge, East Anglia and University College London.  I am also a consultant adolescent psychiatrist in an adolescent unit, Lancashire Care Foundation Trust. I also teach and examine medical students, lecture on the MRCPsych course for trainee psychiatrists and Manchester University psychopharmacology courses, and undertake MSc supervision. 

Member of the following professional bodies:

General Medical Council

Royal College of Psychiatrists

British Medical Association

Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Child Psychiatry Research Society

International Society for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

European College of Neuropsychopharmacology

My principle research interest is affective disorder, in particular, the treatment of complex adolescent depression and the recognition and treatment of early onset mania. I was a research fellow on the ADAPT trial of adolescent depression, which to date is the only such UK trial, and one of the most impaired depressed samples yet studied. In 2009, I was awarded a rare gold medal for my MD thesis on the implications of behaviour disorder in depressed adolescents. I am currently a principle investigator on the Impact trial of adolescent depression, which is a large multi-centre study, led by Professor Ian Goodyer, University of Cambridge. I have conducted a cross-national study on the diagnosis of mania in children which is being replicated by a group in the US, and have published several meta-analyses on the treatment of depression. Current research plans are further analysis of ADAPT data, and obtaining funding to study high risk groups for mania, and complex depressed adolescents. 

Keywords

• Mental health and psychological wellbeing                

• Quantitative
• Randomised control trials/experimental studies
• Systematic reviews

Long-standing experience in teaching medical students in clinical attachments and formal seminars, in Manchester and Lancaster, as well examining. Regular contributor to the Manchester MRCPsych course, and have taught on psychopharmacology courses in Manchester University and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. 

Previous talks for national and international meetings, e.g International Society for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Royal College of Psychiatrists annual faculty meetings.

I trained as a child psychiatrist at St George's Hospital, London and in Manchester. Whilst in Manchester I became interested in affective disorder through working with the late Professor Richard Harrington, as a clinical research fellow on the ADAPT study of adolescent depression. My MD thesis was on the implications of behaviour disorder in this sample for which I was awarded a rare gold medal in 2009. During this time I collaborated with Professor Gabrielle Carlson of Stony Brook University, New York, on a study examining the diagnosis of mania in children. Currently I am a principle investigator in a large psychological treatment study of adolescent depression (IMPACT, chief PI Professor Ian Goodyer, University of Cambridge). I have lectured nationally and internationally, and published on the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. Invited talks have included meetings of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and the European Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I also regularly review journal articles, and grants for the Health Technology Assessment and Medical Research Council, and have previously advised on competencies for cognitive behaviour therapy for Skills for Health. My current research interests are diagnosis and treatment in early onset bipolar disorder, and the treatment of complex adolescent depression. 

My clinical post is currently at the Junction Adolescent Unit, Lancaster, where I have experience in treating complex, high risk adolescent disorders including mania and psychosis. My earlier experience on the ADAPT study provided me with expertise in treating high risk, complex suicidal cases of adolescent depression, using cognitive behaviour therapy, clinical care, and antidepressants. I am also a co-author on the Specialist Clinical Care manual for adolescent depression, which is being trialed in the Impact study.

BSc psychology, University College London

MBBs, University of London

MRCpsych, Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, specialist accreditation in child psychiatry

MD thesis (gold award)

Current collaborators on the Impact trial include: Professors Ian Goodyer, University of Cambridge, Jonathan Hill, University of Manchester, Peter Fonagy, University College London, Shirley Reynolds, University of East Anglia