David Castle

I am currently Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania; and Consultant Psychiatrist, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia. Prior to this, I was Professor of Psychiatry at St Vincent’s Health and The University of Melbourne for 15 years and spent two years as Inaugural Director of the Centre for Complex Interventions, and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

My clinical and research interests are broad, including schizophrenia, bipolar, substance abuse, obsessive compulsive disorder and the OC spectrum disorders (notably body dysmorphic disorder). I have extensive experience of clinical trials, including in mood disorders. I have been successful in attracting substantial grant funding from a variety of different sources, and have strong local, national, and international research links. I have received a number of commendations for my work, including the Senior Research Award from the Royal ANZ College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and a University of Melbourne Vice Chancellor’s Staff Engagement Award. In 2015 I was presented with the Ian Simpson Award by the RANZCP in recognition of outstanding contributions to clinical psychiatry as assessed through service to patients and the community. I have published widely in prestigious journals, have produced 28 books, and have given scientific talks around the world. I am passionate about teaching and mentoring junior colleagues.

Grants

2022–2026

• Principal Applicant: Lewis GF. Mental health leads: Selby P, Sherifali D, Castle D. “Mobilizing Knowledge and Implementing Equitable and Cost-Effective Health and Social Care Services for Persons Living with Diabetes in Canada.” Diabetes Action Canada (DAC) SPOR Network – Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation Science. CIHR: CAD$3,750,000

2022–2026

• Thomas N, Rossell S, Bell I, Brand R, Thompson A, Castle D, Meyer D, Longden E, Wadley G, Pulik-White G, Birkedal Glenthoej L, Banbury A, Hillard B, Seabrook L. “Avatar-mediated therapy for hallucinations: superiority trial (AMETHYST).” NHMRC AUD$1,764,774 (2015133)

2022–2024

• Principal Applicant: Hawke LD; Co-Applicants: Stergiopoulos V, Campbell B, van Kesteren MR, Cappe V, Dawthorne M, Stewart D, Rajji T, Simpson S, Castle D, Chandler J, Shields R, Paterson J, Buchman D, Gupta M. “Suicide and medical assistance in dying for mental illness: A qualitative study.” University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry and CAMH: CAD$50,000

2022–2025

• Principal Applicant: Husain MI; Co-Investigators: Blumberger D, Castle D, Kloiber S, Mulsant B, Ortiz A, Rosenblat J, Wang W. “A proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial to show that the antidepressant effects of psilocybin do not require psychedelic effects.” CIHR Project Grant: CAD$546,976

2022–2026

• Principal Applicants: Zrenner B, Blumberger DM, Griffiths JD, Zrenner CDF; Co-Investigators: Castle D, Feusner J, Kaster T, Kloiber S, Knyahnytska, Laposa J, Trevizol AP, Voineskos D, Zai G. “Brain-oscillation synchronised stimulation of the dorso-medial prefrontal cortex: A precision medicine treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.” CIHR Project Grant: CAD$535,501

2022–2027

• Choong P, Clark J, Mukherjee P, Di Bella C, Moulton SE, Duchi S, O’Connell CD, Beirne ST, Gambhir S, Chung J, Gupta R, Dowsey MM, Spelman TD, Castle DJ, Shields N, Tanner C, Gardner J, Bunzil S, Clarke PM, Schilling C, Sagnella S, Ronchi AJ, Rushbrooke E, Dusseldorp JR. “Cartilage based stem cell therapies for joint deformity and facial disfigurement. A framework for point-of-care manufacturing and delivery (ARISTOCRAT).” MRFF Stem Cell Therapies Mission AUD$7,000,000 (2017213)

2022–2023

• Ski CF, Shenton M, Thompson DR, Castle DJ. “Long COVID Optimal Health Programme.” Norfolk and Suffolk Primary and Community Care Research Office Research Capability Funding £9,353

2022–2025

• Principal Applicant: Hsiang-Yuan L; Co-apps: Ameis SH, Castle D, Desarkar P, Diaconescu A, Hawco C, Husain I, Lai M-C, Lunsky Y, Rajji T, Wang W. “Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Autism: a Pilot Trial with Pre-Post Brain and Cognitive Measurement to Understand Mechanisms.” Labatt Family Innovation Fund in Brain Health CAD$340,000

2023–2026

• Bowman J, Lawn S, Roberts R, Fehily C, Castle D, Campbell E, Bartlem K, Wiggers J, Wolfenden L, Kingsland M, Oldmeadow C, Reeves P, Govindasamy S, Orr M, Tzelepis F. “Increasing the capacity of Community Managed Organisations to provide preventive care to people with a mental health condition.” MRFF Cardiovascular Health Mission AUD$1,135,281

2023–2025

• Principal Applicant: Castle D. “An online/in-person program utilizing Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)-Matrix plus contingency management (CM) for methamphetamine use disorder (MUD).” Health Canada CAD$841,212

2023–2025

• Principal Applicant: Le Foll B; Co-applicants: Castle D, Chen J, Hassan A, Husain I, Ma C, Sloan MLai M-C, Lunsky Y, Rajji T, Wang W. “Pilot clinical trial: Psilocybin assisted psychotherapy as a novel treatment for comorbid Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).” Canadian Institutes of Health Research CAD$344,250

2023–2024

• Principal Applicants: Stergiopoulos V, Kurdyak PA, Canning C, Lo BF; Co-Investigators: Agarwal S, Burhan A, Castle D, Del Giudice L, Konkoly-Thege B, Melamed O, Sirotich F, Sockalingam S, Strudwick G, Tarijian T, Tibbo P, Vigo D. “Strengthening the delivery of integrated care in specialised mental health settings for adults experiencing serious mental illness.” CIHR Catalyst Grant: CAD$148,733 (492123)

2023–2024

• Rossell S, Finkelstein C, Phillipou A, Castle D, Soha O, Roy A. “Psilocybin for treatment of body image disturbances in anorexia nervosa: an embodied solution to an embodied problem.” Barbara Dicker Brain Sciences Foundation AU$20,000

2023–2024

• Haines T, et al. (Heinsch M, Castle D Tasmanian site leads) National Mental Health Pathways to Practice Program - GO6018 AUD$4,800,000

2023–2024

• Nevarez-Flores A, Neil A, Castle D, Kilpatrick M, Mendoza Diaz A, Foa L, McDermott B. “Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023-2027 Evaluation Framework.” Tasmanian Health Service AUD$500,000

2023–2028

• Curtis J, Castle D, et al. “No-one left behind: Integrated Physical Healthcare for people living with a serious mental illness.” NHMRC TCR Improving Physical Health of People with a Mental Illness (2025162): AUD$2,996,738

2024

• Hopwood M, Castle D. “Evidence-based guidelines for weight management in people with a mental illness.” iNova (investigator-initiated grant): AUD$16,500

• Peak J, Neil A, Mendoza Diaz A, Kilpatrick M, Foa L, McDermott B, Castle D. “Evaluation of the Tasmanian PACER service.” Tasmanian Health Service AUD$62,052

• Nevarez-Flores A, Neil A, Mendoza Diaz A, Kilpatrick M, Foa L, McDermott B, Castle D. “Means restriction and suicidality by firearm.” Tasmanian Health Service AUD$55,511

• Neil A, Castle D, et al. “Are literacy skills recorded during history taking in mental health services? An objective assessment of practice.” Royal Hobart Hospital Foundation AUD$24,988

2024–2025

• Mendoza Diaz A, Castle D, McDermott B, Foa L, Kilpatrick M, Nevarez-Flores A, Neil A, Pryor A, Knowles B. “A review of therapeutic care farms.” Tasmanian Health Service AUD$54,000

• Castle D. “Integrated peer support physical health service.” Tasmanian Health Service AUD$99,982

• Castle D. “Acceptance Commitment Therapy for crystal methamphetamine use disorder.” Tasmanian Health Service AUD$99,224

• Kilpatrick M, Perez A, Castle D. “Mapping and enhancing critical incident response and postvention practices across priority settings in Tasmania.” Tasmanian Health Service AUD$97,611

• Kilpatrick M, Perez A, Castle D. “Consultation data analysis: Development of a 20-year Preventive Health Strategy.” Tasmanian Health Service AUD$32,035

• Moore M, Castle D. “Establish a baseline assessment of patterns of self-harm and suicidal ideation presentations and admissions across Tasmanian public hospitals.” Tasmanian Health Service AUD$50,000

2024–2029

• Sumner P, Rossell S, Castle D, Iyer R, Haywood D, Carruthers S, Mendoza-Diaz A. “Using speech analyses for detecting suicide risk and relapse in eating disorders.” NHMRC MRFF Childhood Mental Health Research (2036110): AUD$996,294

2025–2026

• McNamara K (Castle D one of a number of Co-investigators). “Translating mental health peer support into practice for consumers in rural and regional emergency departments: feasibility and pilot testing.” Medibank Foundation AUD$80,000

Recent Publications

2023

• Osz F, Murubi C, Kilpatrick M, Castle D. "Gonadal hormones in borderline personality disorder: implications for understanding symptoms and supporting treatment." Archives of Women's Mental Health 2023: 1-6

2024

• Al-Jabr H, Windle K, Clifton A, Thompson DR, Castle DJ, Ski CF. “Patient experiences of the long COVID–Optimal Health Programme: qualitative interview study in community settings.” BJGPOpen 2024; 8: 1

• Acevedo N, Castle D, Bosanac P, Rossell S. "Clinical outcomes of deep brain stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder: insight as a predictor of symptom changes." Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2024; 78: 131-141

• Giles S, Hughes EK, Castle DJ, Jenkins Z, Phillipou A, Rossell S, Urbini G, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, Krug I. "A new network analysis model in anorexia nervosa patients based on self-reported eating disorder symptoms, psychological distress, and cognitive flexibility." British Journal of Clinical Psychology 2024; 63: 118-134

• Li M, Jenkins Z, Rossell S, Castle D. “Assessment.” In: Greenberg JL, Weingarden H (eds.) Optimizing Evidence-Based Treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Springer 2024: 35-54

• Rossell S, Castle D. “Diagnosis and clinical features.” In: Greenberg JL, Weingarden H (eds.) Optimizing Evidence-Based Treatment for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Springer 2024: 1-16

• Sankaranarayanan A, Ramanathan P, Wilding H, Mathew R, Castle DJ. "Disordered gambling among people with psychotic disorders: A systematic review." Schizophrenia 2024; 10: 4

• Meyer GM, Hollunder B, Li N, Butenko K, Dembek TA, Hart L, Nombela C, Mosley P, Akram H, Acevedo N, Borron BM, Chou T, Castaño Montoya JP, Strange B, Barcia JA, Tyagi H, Castle DJ, Smith AH, Choi KS, Kopell BH, Mayberg HS, Sheth SA, Goodman W, Leentjens AFG, Richardson RM, Rossell SL, Bosanac P, Cosgrove GR, Kuhn J, Visser-Vandewalle V, Figee M, Dougherty DD, Siddiqi SH, Zrinzo L, Joyce E, Baldermann JC, Fox MD, Neudorfer C, Horn A. "Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Optimal stimulation sites." Biological Psychiatry 2024; 96: 101-113

• Acevedo N, Castle D, Rossell S. “The promise and challenges of transcranial magnetic stimulation and deep brain stimulation as therapeutic options for obsessive-compulsive disorder.” Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics 2024: doi.org/10.1080/14737175.2024.2306875

• Stergiopoulos V, Bastidas-Bilbao H, Gupta M, Buchman DZ, Stewart DE, Rajji T, Simpson AIF, van Kestern MR, Cappe V, Castle D, Shields R, Hawke LD. “Care considerations in Medical Assistance in Dying for persons with mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition: patient and family perspectives.” BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24: 120

• Rossell S, Finkelstein C, Phillipou A, Castle D, Soha O, Roy A. “Psilocybin for treatment of body image disturbances in anorexia nervosa: an embodied solution to an embodied problem.” Barbara Dicker Brain Sciences Foundation AU$20,000

• Pikoos T, Malcolm A, Castle D, Rossell S. “A hierarchy of visual processing deficits in body dysmorphic disorder: a conceptual review and empirical investigation.” Cognitive Neuropsychiatry 2024:10.1080/13546805.2024.2326243

• Scamvougeras A, Castle D. “Functional Neurological Disorders: Challenging the mainstream agnostic causative position.” The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 2024; 7: 07067437241245957

• Sanzone EM, Kam O, Sanzone KE, Bai M; Rodecker N, Shad MU, Varghese SP, Barlati S, Kirschner M, Kooner P, Velligan DI, Waszkiewicz N, Castle DJ, Cowan RL, Koola MM. “Mobile Delivery Program to prevent relapse and improve functioning in patients with psychiatric diseases." Journal of Psychiatric Practice 2024; 30: 364-373

• Tardelli VS, Johnstone S, Zangh M, Castle DJ. “Demographic risk factors for past year use of illegal substances in young adults and older adults.” Canadian Journal of Addiction 2024; 15: 5-18

• Dang AB, Kiropoulos L, Castle D, Jenkins Z, Phillipou A, Rossell S, Krug I. “Psychiatric comorbidity and severity in Anorexia Nervosa: A comparative study of the DSM-5, the ICD-11, and Overvaluation of Weight/Shape Severity Ratings.” Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention 2024; 32: 546-562

• Stettaford T, Fehily C, Campbell E, Barker D, Oldmeadow C, McKeon E, Love S, Lawn S, Castle D, Bowman J. “Risk prevalence, readiness and confidence to change lifestyle risk factors among clients of community mental health services.” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2024; 58: 702-712

• Raspovic A, Duck R, Synnot A, Caldwell B, Phillipou A, Castle D, Newton R, Jenkins Z, Cunich M, Maguire S, Miskovic-Wheatley J. “A Peer Mentoring Program for eating disorders: improved symptomatology and reduced hospital admissions, three years and a pandemic on.” Journal of Eating Disorders 2024; 12: 99

• Nevarez-Flores AG, Martin A, Bartkowiak-Theron I, Makin J, Norris K, Castle D, Neil AL. “The impact of suicide registers and other monitoring systems on suicide prevention: A scoping review.” International Journal of Social Psychiatry 2024; 70: 1211-1233

• Siddiqui S, Mehta D, Coles A, Selby P, Solmi M, Castle D. “Psychosocial interventions for individuals with comorbid psychosis and substance use disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized studies." Schizophrenia Bulletin 2024; doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbae101

• Virgili G, Neill E, Enticott P, Castle D, Rossell S. “A systematic review of visual processing deficits in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).” Psychiatry Research 2024: 339: 16013

• Skiba RM, Chinchani AM, Menon M, Lepage M, Lavigne KM, Malla A, Joober R, Goldberg JO, Heinrichs W, Castle DJ, Burns A, Best MW, Rossell SL, Walther S, Woodward TS. “Overlap between individual differences in cognition and symptoms of schizophrenia.” Schizophrenia Research 2024; 270: 220-228

• Husain MO, Hawke LD, Lu Y, Kozloff ND, Strudwick G, Kiang M, Wang W, Castle D, Foussias G. “A mixed-methods study to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of delivering the optimal health program (OHP) for youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis: A study protocol.” PLOS ONE 2024; 19: e0306968

• Shadbolt C, Dowsey MM, Sharmala Thuraisingam S, Rele S, Choong P, Castle DJ, Inacio M, Schilling C. "Association between pharmacologic treatment of depression and patient-reported outcomes following total hip and knee arthroplasty." The Journal of Arthroplasty 2024; 07: 023

• Haywood D, Castle D, Hart N. “Avoiding the pitfalls of the DSM-5: A primer for health professionals.” General Hospital Psychiatry 2024; 90: 88-90

• Sorkhou M, Johnstone S, Weinberger AH, Cooper ZC, Sanches M, Castle DJ, Hall W, Rabin RA, Hammond D, George TP. “Changes in cannabis use patterns in psychiatric populations pre- and post-legalization of recreational cannabis use in Canada: A repeated cross-sectional survey.” Cannabis 2024; 7: 1-13

• Green JE, Wrobel A, Todd E, Marx W, Berk M, Lotfalian M, Castle D, Cryan JF, Athan E, Hair C, Nierenberg AA, Jacka FN, Dawson SL. “Early antibiotic exposure and risk of psychiatric and neurocognitive outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” British Journal of Psychiatry 2024; doi: 10.1192/bjp.2024.121

• Li M, Castle D. “The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire.” In: BDD Assessment Handbook (in press: accepted 09.08.2024)

• Tamrakar S, Mendoza-Diaz A, Nevarez-Florez A, Castle D. “Characterising the nature of psychiatric disorders and patterns of antipsychotic medications prescribed in a psychiatric ward in a public hospital in Tasmania.” Australasian Psychiatry 2024; doi: 10.1177/10398562241283156

• Hawke LD, Nguyen ATP, Wang W, Brown EE, Xu D, Deuville S, Goulding S, Ski CF, Thompson DR, Rodak T, Strudwick G, Rossell SL, Castle D. “A systematic review of interventions for mental health, cognition, and psychological wellbeing in Long COVID.” BMJ Mental Health 2024; 27: 1-11

2025

• Sayrafizadeh N, Ledwos N, Husain I, Castle D. "Aggressive Behaviours Associated with MDMA and Psychedelics: A narrative review." Acta Neuropsychiatrica 2025; 37: 1-13

• Zirnsak T-M, McCarter K, McKinlay ML, Guillaumier A, Cocks N, Brasier C, Hayes L, Baker AL, Baird DE, Bonevski B, Borland R, Castle D, Forbes E, Kelly PJ, Segan C, Sweeney R, Turner A, Williams JM. “Holding on to hope: Follow up qualitative findings of a tobacco treatment intervention for people experiencing mental health conditions.” Frontiers 2025; doi: 10.3389

• Lopes JJ, Rae CD, Meyer D, Yolland C, Neill E, Castle D, Dean B, Rossell SL. “Glutamate concentrations and cognitive deficits in ultra-treatment-resistant schizophrenia: an exploratory and comparative 1H-MRS study.” Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging 2025; 347: 111926

• Nevarez-Flores AG, Pandey V, Perez Angelucci A, Neil AL, McDermott B, Castle D. “Means restriction for suicide prevention: an umbrella review.” Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 2025; doi.org/10.1111/acps.13783

• Ambreen M, Canning C, Lo B, Agarwal SM, Burhan AM, Castle D, Del Giudice ME, Konkolÿ-Thege B, Liu L, Melamed OC, Sirotich F, Stergiopoulos V. “Strengthening the delivery of integrated care for individuals experiencing serious mental illness within mental health settings: A qualitative description of health provider perspectives.” BMC Psychiatry 2025;14: 129

• Ambreen M, Canning C, Lo B, Agarwal SM, Burhan AM, Castle D, Del Giudice ME, Konkolÿ-Thege B, Liu L, Melamed OC, Sirotich F, Stergiopoulos V. "Strengthening the delivery of physical health care for adults living with serious mental illness: A qualitative description of patient and family member perspectives." Health Expectations (in press: accepted 02.03.2025)

• Nguyen ATP, Ski CF, Thompson DR, Abbey SE, Kloiber S, Sheikhan NY, Selby P, Shields R, Rossell SL, Strudwick G, Castle D, Hawke LD. “Health and social service provider perspectives on challenges, approaches, and recommendations for treating long COVID: A qualitative study of Canadian provider experiences.” BMC Health Services Research 2025; 25: 1-13

• Wagner E, ---- Castle D (one of 12 co-authors) -- Solmi M. "Risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality, and suicide attempt in people with anxiety and stress-related disorders: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of 165 studies." World Psychiatry (in press: accepted 03.04.2025)

• Lu Y, Hedemann TL, Hawke LD, Ampofo Y, Goldsmith R, Kozloff ND, Strudwick G, Kiang M, Castle D, Foussias G, Husain MO. “Adaptation of a psychosocial programme for Canadian youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis.” Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 2025; 19: e0306968

• Constantinidis D, Hebbard G, O’Brien C, Kanaan R, Castle D. “Healthcare Transition and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Challenges experienced by Young Adults after Transfer from Paediatric to Adult Health Services.” Psychology, Health and Medicine 2025; 2497001

Honours and Awards

2000

• Senior Scientist Award, Tenth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland

• ANZ Mental Health Service Achievement Bronze Award for Intensive Rehabilitation Service (on behalf of SW Metropolitan Mental Health Services)

2001

• ANZ Mental Health Service Achievement Silver Award for General Practice Liaison Service (on behalf of Fremantle Hospital and Health Service)

• Eli Lilly Partnerships in Wellbeing Recognition Award for Group Program (on behalf of Fremantle Hospital & Health Service)

2002

• Honorary Friend of the Anxiety Recovery Centre, Victoria

2003

• Certificate of Appreciation, Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, in recognition of a high citation publication

2005

• Visiting Professor, Prince Charles Hospital & Rockhampton Mental Health

• British Medical Association Mental Health Book of the Year First Prize for “Marijuana and Madness”

2006

• Visiting Professor, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

2007

• National Network of Adult and Adolescent Children who have Mentally Ill Parents Trophy Award for Bipolar project (on behalf of Collaborative Therapy Unit, MHRI)

• British Medical Association Medical Book Competition: Commendation for “Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Women”

2008

• Distinguished Fellow, Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists

• Victorian Healthcare Awards and Premier’s Award: Highly Commended for “Healthy Lifestyles for People with a Serious Mental Illness” (with Bridget Organ, on behalf of St. Vincent’s Mental Health Service)

2009

• Fellow, Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK)

• ANZ Mental Health Service Achievement Silver Award for “Empowering Consumers to Make Informed Choices about Medication” (with Nga Tran, St Vincent’s Mental Health Service)

• Victorian Public Healthcare Awards Gold Award for “Mental Health Medication Information Program” (with Nga Tran, Senior Mental Health Pharmacist)

• Leaders Course, Asialink, The University of Melbourne

2010

• Honorary Fellow, The Bionic Ear Institute

2011

• MSD Senior Research Award by the RANZCP (made to the Fellow who has made the most significant contribution to psychiatric research in Australia and New Zealand over the preceding five years)

2012

• St Vincent’s Health Australia Health Quality Award: Exceptional Care: Research Excellence for Early Psychosis Program (led by Melissa Petrakis on behalf of the EEP Team of which I was research director)

2012–2015

• Invited member, Schizophrenia International Research Society International Advisory Committee