SYDNEY: David Gregory’s psychiatric illness was not solely caused by the bullying he endured at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, a psychiatrist has told a Sydney court.

Dr Lisa Brown examined Mr Gregory on one occasion and found his anxious and depressive symptoms were more likely the result of a number of different factors from his youth.

Mr Gregory, now 30, from Mollymook on NSW’s south coast, says he endured years of humiliation and

bullying while studying as a day student at the high school on the outskirts of

Tamworth.

He is seeking more than $2 million in lost earnings from the state, arguing the school’s failure to prevent “consistent and systematic bullying” caused his psychological problems.

During Dr Brown’s cross-examination by Mr Gregory’s barrister Russell McIlwaine, SC, in the NSW Supreme Court yesterday, she said there were many contributing factors to Mr Gregory’s current mental state.

These included young people’s tendency to spontaneously develop anxiety disorders, Mr Gregory’s natural personality structure and conflict with his mother, she said.

“I consider that there are multiple causes in this particular situation, for this particular man,” Dr Brown told the court.

“I think they’re all probably around equal contribution.”

Dr Brown agreed Mr Gregory was often humiliated at school and did experience high levels of anxiety.

But she said his participation in dramatic arts, public speaking, work experience, an exchange program and the school magazine pointed to only “moderate” symptoms of depression.

“It is still a sign that he had a capacity to recover and for him to improve and for his symptoms to become milder,” Dr Brown said.

The hearing continues before Justice Elizabeth Fullerton.