What story should psychiatry tell

This conversation explores the impact of storytelling in psychiatry, emphasising how narratives shape identity and influence recovery. Dr Rory Hutchinson, Ms Bianca Millroy and A/Prof Warren Ward discuss their personal experiences with functional neurological disorder, the role of the medical gaze, and the importance of lived experience in understanding mental health. They delve into narrative medicine as a framework for enhancing patient care and the therapeutic value of reframing narratives. The discussion highlights the need for empathy, curiosity, and the power of stories in the healing process.

Dr Rory Hutchinson is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Jacaranda Place, Queensland Adolescent Extended Treatment Centre. He also works in private practice and is a Senior Lecturer at Griffith University. His clinical and academic work is strongly informed by an interest in the medical humanities, particularly the intersection between humanities and psychiatric clinical practice.

A/Prof Warren Ward is Director of the Eating Disorders Program at Ramsay Clinic New Farm. He has published more than 30 articles and 2 book chapters on eating disorders. He also writes on philosophy and cultural history, and in 2022 his first book Lovers of Philosophy: How the Intimate Lives of Seven Philosophers Shaped Modern Thought became a number one bestseller on Amazon’s philosophy list. In 2025, his second book, Renourish: How to Recover From an Eating Disorder, co-authored with Lexi Crouch, was released by Pan Macmillan.

Bianca Millroy (she/her) is a writer, editor, and podcaster with a passion for science-informed storytelling. She is undertaking a PhD at The University of Queensland where her practice-led thesis "Caput Nebula" (Head of Fog) combines Creative Nonfiction, Narrative Medicine and neuroscience to "rewrite" the narrative of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), based on her own lived experience. Bianca lives and writes in Meanjin (Brisbane) on Yuggera/Turrbal Country. Connect with Bianca on LinkedIn.

• Lovers of Philosophy: How the Intimate Lives of Seven Philosophers Shaped Modern Thought: Ward, Warren 
• Renourish: A complete and compassionate guide to recovery from eating disorders - Pan Macmillan Australia 
• Caput Nebula (excerpt) by Bianca Millroy - a creative nonfiction essay published by Science Write Now 
• Hysteria (memoir) by Katerina Bryant - a hybrid memoir and nonfiction exposé on Katerina's lived experience and the history of 'hysteria'

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [e-mail]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.