Tony Fernando

Overview of Sleep Disorders

In this session, participants will review basic sleep physiology which includes why we sleep, effects of sleep deprivation, mechanisms involved in sleeping and waking, and circadian rhythms. The clinical aspects of the session will focus on the diagnosis and management of sleep disorders, with special emphasis on insomnias. When diagnosing sleep disorders, clinicians should look at different types of sleep symptoms that a patient suffers from. The Auckland Sleep Questionnaire (http://insomniaspecialist.com/forms.php ) , a screening tool we have developed at the University of Auckland can help facilitate the diagnosis of specific sleep disorders. For primary insomnia, which is insomnia not due to any diagnosable psychiatric or medical condition, the initial management we propose is sleep rescheduling.
Intended audience: All delegates with an interest in this field.

Session on Science of Happiness

In this session, common myths about what people think make them happy will be discussed.  Key concepts in “positive psychology”, an emerging field in psychology will be reviewed.  Research on what makes people truly happy- that is long term, subjective well being will be reviewed. Practical approaches on 1) how to develop the attitude of gratitude 2) maintaining “mindfulness” 3) developing compassion and forgiveness will be covered. In summary, happiness or subjective well being is mostly a result of a person’s 1) mental attitude/ perspective/ resiliency, 2) sense of purpose and 3) quality of relationships. 
Intended audience: All delegates with an interest in this field.

Biography:  Dr Tony Fernando is a senior lecturer in Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland. He is a community psychiatrist and also runs the only insomnia focused clinic in New Zealand. Together with the Department of General Practice, he is involved in developing diagnostic instruments for sleep disorders and treatments for insomnias.  He has helped develop a website aimed to improve self care of university students. He also developed a teaching software in Psychiatry which is now used in many medical schools all over the world.  Tony graduated from the University of Philippines and pursued his Psychiatry Residency and Sleep Medicine training at the University of Pennsylvania.