Abnormal Psychology BPS307

 

Learn to identify common categories of psychological disorder and their causes, and how they can affect a person's behaviour.


COURSE STRUCTURE

• The course is divided into ten lessons as follows:
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• 1.Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence
• Identify disorders prevalent in children under 18 years of age.
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• 2. Delirium, Dementia, Amnesic and Other Cognitive Disorders
• Compare and contrast delirium and dementia.
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• 3.Substance-Related Disorders
• Distinguish between substance abuse disorders and substance dependence disorders.
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• 4.Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
• Differentiate between different psychotic disorders.
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• 5.Mood Disorders
• Distinguish between unipolar disorders and bipolar disorders.
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• 6.Anxiety Disorders
• Describe different types of anxiety disorders
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• 7.Somatoform, Factitious, and Dissociative Disorders
• Distinguish between Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders
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• 8.Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders
• Discuss gender identity disorder, paraphilias and sexual dysfunction.
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• 9.Eating and Sleep Disorders
• Identify eating disorders and sleep disorders
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• 10. Impulse-Control Disorders; Adjustment Disorder
• Distinguish between impulse control disorders and adjustment disorders.
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• 11. Personality Disorders
• Distinguish between different types of personality disorder.
  
  

WHAT YOU MAY DO IN THIS COURSE

• Identify disorders first prevalent under 18 years of age;
• Describe how you would diagnose a case of suspected Autism in a child of 4 years of age;
• Compare and contrast delirium and dementia;
• Do an internet search for images of PET scans and MRI of brains affected by delirium or dementia include the images an essay discussing these disorders;
• Distinguish between substance abuse disorders and substance dependence disorders;
• Differentiate between psychotic disorders;
• Describe briefly the subtypes of Schizophrenia;
• Distinguish between Unipolar disorders and Bipolar disorders;
• Outline a cognitive model of depression;
• Describe different types of Anxiety Disorders;
• Develop a treatment to overcome a client’s fear of spiders;
• Distinguish between Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders;
• Explain the primary criticisms of dissociative identity disorder;
• Provide a diagnosis of a case study and justify your diagnosis;
• Discuss Gender Identity Disorder, Paraphilias and Sexual Dysfunction;
• Explain what distinguishes a preference of sexual act or object as a paraphilia;
• Identify Eating Disorders and Sleep Disorders;
• Explain how eating disorders develop;
• Distinguish between Impulse Control Disorders and Adjustment disorders;
• Develop a diagnostic table for impulse control disorders;
• Distinguish between different types of Personality Disorder;
• Differentiate between Narcissistic and Histrionic personality disorders.
  
  

Some Sample Course Notes -

Unipolar Disorder (also known as recurrent major depression)

Clinical depression is a health condition of depression with mental and physical components reaching criteria generally accepted by clinicians. Although nearly any mood with some element of sadness may colloquially be termed a depression, clinical depression is more than just a temporary state of sadness. Symptoms lasting two weeks or longer in duration, and of a severity that they begin to interfere with daily living, can generally be said to constitute clinical depression. Using DSM-IV-TR terminology, someone with a major depressive disorder can, by definition, be said to be suffering from clinical depression.

Bipolar Disorder (also known as manic depression)

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Bipolar Disorder has also been given the medical name Manic Depression; at various times, it has also been known as Bipolar Affective Disorder and Manic-Depressive Illness. It is a mood disorder that affects approximately 1% of the adult population of most countries. It is in the same family of illnesses (called "affective disorders") as clinical depression. However, unlike clinical depression, which seems to affect far more women than men, Bipolar Disorder seems to affect men and women in approximately equal numbers.

It is characterized by mood swings. Though there is no known cure, most forms of bipolar disorder are eminently treatable with medication and supportive psychotherapy. This lesson is concerned with depressive disorders, known as unipolar depression, and the main features are:

• depressed mood
• negative thoughts
• loss of energy
• lack of motivation and drive

They may also suffer from:

· Poor appetite/weight loss or increased appetite/weight gain.

· Difficulties sleeping (insomnia/sleeping a lot/waking early)

· Shift in activity level (lethargic or agitated)

· Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities

· Negative self-concept, self-blame

· Difficulty concentrating

· Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

· They may also have problems with personal hygiene and appearance and numerous hyperchondriacal complaints of pains and aches.

A person with depression will generally not have all of these symptoms. Depressed mood is usually the most dominant symptom. Depression affects about one in every five persons in the population at some point in their life.

Perhaps you would like to help people improve their lives through life coaching or counselling. What about –

Certificate in Life Coaching

http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Certificate-In-Life-Coaching-224.aspx

Life Coaching http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Life-Coaching-33.aspx

Relationship and Communications Counselling http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Relationships-Communication-Counselling-357.aspx

Grief Counselling http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Grief-Counselling-148.aspx

Counselling Skills II http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Counselling-Skills-II-29.aspx

Counselling Skills I http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Counselling-Skills-L-340.aspx

Careers Counselling http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Careers-Counselling-344.aspx

Counselling Techniques http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Counselling-Techniques-333.aspx

Crisis Counselling http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Crisis-Counselling-342.aspx

Stress Management http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Stress-Management-295.aspx

Psychological Assessment http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Psychological-Assessment-379.aspx

Professional Practice In Counselling http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Professional-Practice-In-Counselling-32.aspx

Professional Supervision http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Professional-Supervision-370.aspx

Diploma in Psychology and Counselling http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Diploma-In-Counselling-Psychology-334.aspx

Certificate in Counselling (Care Professionals) http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/Certificate-In-Counselling-Care-Professionals-391.aspx

Or if you are not sure if psychology is for you, why not try our Introduction to Psychology - http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/product.aspx?id=359

If you would like to see our range of psychology books, please visit - http://www.acsbookshop.com/books_productcategory.aspx?id=14

For more information on the range of careers available in psychology, have a look at - http://www.thecareersguide.com/articles.aspx?category=14

We have some interesting articles on psychology and counseling at - http://www.acs.edu.au/psychol/

In 1999, nearly 15 million people in America admitted using illicit drugs in the prior month. Drug use is widespread, from the person who uses coffee and tea to get up in morning, to cigarettes and soft drinks to stay alert during the day, to using alcohol as a way to relax. The opportunity for drug abuse is there. People who abuse drugs risk their close personal relationships and their work performance. The pathological use of substances falls into two categories – substance dependence and substance abuse.

Substance use disorders are conditions that arise from misuse of alcohol, psychoactive drugs and other chemicals. This if also people who report symptoms attributed to the effects of drug abuse, the side effects of medications, or exposure to toxic materials

Substance use disorders are usually classified further as follows:

• abuse (harmful use)
• dependence
• intoxication
• withdrawal states
• psychotic disorders
• amnestic syndromes

This course considers whether an individual's behaviour is within what is considered "normal" within society or "abnormal". This course will be of benefit to anyone who is interested in the workings of the human mind - counsellors, teachers, social workers, youth workers, support workers, carers etc. It will develop their ability to identify psychological disorders, and determine when to refer clients for treatment. The course will also be of interest to anyone who wants to understand more about common psychological disorders, their causes and treatment. Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology

Approximate duration: 100 hours

Cost: $759.00 inc GST

Enrolment: Click here to enrol in this course