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Course introduction
Although serious mental conditions need diagnosis and treatment
by a doctor or psychiatrist, it will benefit many people to have access to
knowledge about how psychiatric disorders are classified and described, and also
how to understand signs of possible serious conditions so that professional help
may be obtained. This course will benefit counsellors, psychotherapists,
hypnotherapists, general nurses, teachers, social workers, carers, healers and
all those who come into contact with people who might show some signs of mental
disturbance. Counsellors and therapists are often taught not to attempt to
treat serious conditions but are rarely given in-depth knowledge of how to spot
unsuitable cases. An understanding of the behaviours and symptoms presented by
possible sufferers of psychiatric disorders can help by (a) ensuring that lay,
i.e. non-medical, helpers do not become involved with cases that are out of
their depth, therefore making lay professional practice safer, and that (b)
non-medical helpers and carers can assist people in seeking vital medical
attention where needed. A further benefit for lay therapists is increased
ability to understand professional publications in the field of mental illness,
and to communicate better with members of the medical professions. The
course may also serve as useful interim study for people who wish to apply for
relevant university courses later on, demonstrating interest and a certain
amount of knowledge of the field. The course may be taken for personal interest.
The course introduces how medical professionals go about
describing and diagnosing various mental illnesses, and gives detailed
explanations of problems and disturbances of consciousness; disorders of
awareness of reality, disorders of body and self awareness, disorders of gender
and sexuality, disorders of emotion and personality disorders. Within these
sections, common serious and not-so-serious conditions such as anxiety
disorders, phobias, schizophrenia and bipolar are described, as well as many
rarer conditions and disorders that have neurological causes. Hallucinations,
delusions and other manifestations of mental disorders are clearly explained and
discussed.
A university-level textbook of approx. 490 pages is required as the
main book for the course. Further reading is optional though comprehensive
reading lists are given, enabling you to pursue further studies at your leisure.
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Method of assessment
Continuous assessment - there is no final exam.
Students will be asked to write brief essays after reading certain chapters.
Entry qualifications
No particular qualification is required for entry. However
the student should have a high standard of written English and the ability to cope
with technical vocabulary and university-standard textbooks. Some previous knowledge of psychology will be an advantage.
Certification and further study.
A certificate suitable for framing will be issued to successful graduates.
Since this is not a practitioner diploma, it is not geared towards entry to a
professional society.
This diploma carries credit towards a distance degree from
Calamus International University in counselling psychology and related fields.
(CIU is a non-UK, private, non-government-accredited university.)
Note: details of the course, fees, textbooks, syllabus and other information are
subject to change at any time.
apply for
this course
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