Articles
‘Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths about Dissociative Identity Disorder’
[with Bethany Brand, Vedat Sar et al] Harvard Review of Psychiatry, Vol.24, Issue 4, July-August 2016, pp. 257-270.
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a complex, posttraumatic, developmental disorder for which a research base has built up over decades. Yet despite this, misconceptions about DID continue to circulate. This article examines and refutes six of the most common myths: (1) the myth that DID is a fad, (2) the myth that DID is primarily diagnosed in North America by DID experts who over diagnose it, (3) the myth that DID is rare, (4) the myth that DID is an iatrogenic rather than trauma-based disorder, (5) the myth that DID is the same entity as borderline personality disorder, and (6) the myth that DID treatment is harmful to patients. The absence of research to substantiate these misconceptions, together with the body of research that refutes them, confirms their mythical status. It is important that these myths about DID are exposed as illegitimate in order to assist understanding and appropriate treatment of this devastating trauma-based disorder (for which the cliched description of `controversial’ is itself based on misconceptions and is an impediment to effective treatment).
‘Dealing with Trauma’
[with Cathy Kezelman] Law Institute Journal, October 2016, pp.36-39
https://liv.asn.au/download.aspx?DocumentVersionKey=25b44e30-0882-4389-9b4b-6bb75b269922
While originating within the field of mental health, growing evidence supports the contention that ‘the law too should strive to become trauma-informed’ (Randall & Haskell, 2013). This paper introduces the core principles of trauma informed practice with reference to the many areas of legal practice to which they relate. Research insights which support widespread application of trauma informed practice within and across the legal system and judiciary are presented. The many benefits of implementing trauma informed principles in legal practice are discussed.
‘Dissociative Identity Disorder: An empirical overview’
[with Warwick Middleton, Martin Dorahy et al], Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Vol.48 (1) 2014, pp.22-25.
The Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was announced by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on 11 January 2013. Examining how institutions with a responsibility for children `have managed and responded to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse and related matters’, it arguably represents the most wide-ranging attempt by any national government in history to examine the institutional processes (or lack thereof) for addressing such abuse.
‘Institutional Abuse and Societal Silence: An Emerging Global Problem’
[with Warwick Middleton, Martin Dorahy et al], Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Vol.48 (1) 2014, pp.22-25.
http://anp.sagepub.com/content/48/1/22
The Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was announced by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on 11 January 2013. Examining how institutions with a responsibility for children `have managed and responded to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse and related matters’, it arguably represents the most wide-ranging attempt by any national government in history to examine the institutional processes (or lack thereof) for addressing such abuse.
‘The Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse’
[with Middleton et al] Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry Vol.48 (1) 2014, pp.17-21.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0004867413514639
An old adage advises against discussing sex, politics, or religion. The Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse addresses all three. For a government to focus national priority on an issue that so fundamentally entwines these contentious domains speaks to a rising awareness of the destructive impacts of child sexual and other abuse. It also attests to the political force represented by a growing number of vocal citizens and consumer organisations who will no longer accept institutional silence and inaction.
‘Child Abuse and the Dynamics of Silence’
[with Middleton et al] ANZJP, 48 (6) 2014, pp.581-583.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262779166_Child_abuse_and_the_dynamics_of_silence
It is useful to reflect on the nature of this silence, the mechanisms of which are age-old. Generally speaking, the more hierarchical and male dominated the society, the fewer the rights of women and children and the less interest in holding accountable those who exploit and abuse them. From the late nineteenth century, attempts have been made to shine light on outwardly respectable individuals and institutions which grievously abuse children and aggressively silence those who try to speak out. Along with other groups, psychiatry has accommodated society’s need to maintain silence…. A history of child sexual abuse may be afforded little etiological significance in the patient evaluated for chronic depression, substance abuse, somatoform complaints, ‘borderline’ tendencies, or potentially psychotic symptoms.