Recap— day two
Day two began with Dr John Bradford discussing ‘Post-traumatic stress disorder, an occupational hazard for forensic mental health professionals’. An internationally renowned forensic psychiatrist, he has previously openly discussed his own experience of PTSD.
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“His decades of training, unparalleled experience and acute understanding of the human mind had offered no immunity,” noted the journalist Chris Cobb in a profile.
He described an “emotional storm” that engulfed him in the course of doing his job, after he watched videos of sexual sadism relating to Russell Williams’ crimes.
Dr Bradford noted that people with higher levels of empathy are also at a higher risk of PTSD. The same is true of people with a photographic memory, and especially for those with a strong visual dimension to their memory.
Dr Bradford said he had been sceptical of PTSD until experiencing it himself. Eventually his family intervened.
There is some evidence that occupational ‘traumatic stress’ may lead to PTSD many years later, he said.
He ended by quoting Nelson Mandela.
Following Dr Bradford’s presentation, the third of our concurrent sessions took place. Everything from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder to online interpersonal violence and cognitive interviewing was covered.
The keynote plenary for the day was presented by forensic and clinical psychologist Dr Patricia Zapf. Dr Zapf spoke on ‘Using science to improve forensic evaluation’.
So do experts know that they’re biased? Dr Zapf mentioned research that found awareness exists on a continuum: some experts deny bias while others see it as inevitable.
Following Dr Zapf’s presentation, the congress’ fourth batch of concurrent sessions took place. Sessions covered everything from whether it’s time for an Elder Court to hip-hop therapy and a presentation from Dr Ian Freckelton QC on medicinal cannabis.
Dr Freckelton QC mentioned that Victoria has established an Office of Medicinal Cannabis.
At the end of the day we had our congress dinner across the river at Rambla on Swan.
During dinner ANZAPPL President Dr Bernadette McSherry recognised Ellen Berah for her work organising ANZAPPL congresses throughout the years.
There was also a magician.
Anders Furze is the communications officer for ANZAPPL. Follow live updates from the 2017 congress on twitter: @ANZAPPL or search #ANZAPPL2017. Want to contribute to the blog or have feedback? Email us: communications@anzappl.org.
