Distant Learning - Study Abnormal Psychology
It is particularly beneficial for counsellors or support workers, for it will develop their ability to distinguish different types of psychological disorder, and determine when to refer clients for treatment. It is also of interest to anyone who finds human nature fascinating. We cover why different conditions may occur, what happens in different conditions and how we can treat them.
Course Structure
There are eleven lessons in this module as follows:
Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy
Criteria for determining abnormality
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Childhood Disorders
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Conduct Disorder
Mental Retardation
Asperger's Disorder
Stereotypic Movement Disorder
Normal Functioning
Depression in Childhood
Anxiety Disorders
Types of Therapy; Alderian, Behaviourism, Existential, Gestalt, Person Centred Therapy, Psycho analysis, Rational Emotive, Reality Therapy, Transactional.
Delirium, Dementia, Amnesic and Other Cognitive Disorders
Types of cognitive disorders
Delirium
Dementia
Types of Dementia
Alzheimer's Disease
Comparing Dementia and Delirium
Amnesia
Cognitive Disorder NOS
Pseudo Dementia
Research Methods in Biopsychology
Substance-Related Disorders
Scope and nature of Substance Abuse
Reasons for Using Drugs
Substance Dependence
Intoxication and Withdrawal
Alcohol Dependence and DT's
Substance Dependence
Substance Abuse
Drug Misuse
Classes of Drugs
Amphetamines
Cocaine
Crack
Opium and Heroin
LSD
Other Drugs, steroids, ritalin, inhalants, etc
Risks with specific drugs
Older adults susceptible to Prescription Misuse
Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Scope and nature
Psychosis
Treating Psychosis
Schizoaffective Disorders
Delusional (Paranoid) Disorders
Onset of Schizophrenia
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Treating Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia and violence
Biology of Schizophrenia
Antipsychotic Medications
Psychosocial Treatments
Role of the Patients Support System
Mood Disorders
Depressive Disorders
Determining Type of Depression
Unipolar disorders and bipolar disorders.
Risk Factors for Depression
Men and Depression
Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment
Types of Treatment
Anxiety Disorders
Scope and Nature
Anxiety Symptoms
Generalised anxiety disorders
Phobic anxiety disorders
Panic disorder
Treatments -intervention, drugs, etc.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Somatoform, Factitious, and Dissociative Disorders
Somatisation Disorder
Conversion Disorder
Pain Disorder
Hypochondriasis
Body Dysymorphic Disorder
Factitios Disorders; types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis
Munchausen's Syndrome
Disconnective Disorders
Psychogenic Amnesia
Psychogenic Fugue
Disconnective Identity Disorder
Depersonalisation Disorder
Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders
Scope and Nature
Hypoactive Sexual Disorder
Sexual Aversion
Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
Male Erectile Disorder
Female and Male Orgasmic Disorders
Premature Ejaculation
Dispareunia
Vaginismus
Secondary Sexual Dysfunction
Paraphilia
Paedophilia
Gender Identity Disorder (Transexualism)
Eating and Sleep Disorders
Scope and nature of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia
Binge Eating Disorder
Treatment Strategies
Research Findings and Directions
Sleep Disorders; scope and nature
Treatments for Sleep Apnoea
Prognosis for Sleep Apnoea
Impulse-Control Disorders; Adjustment Disorder
Symptoms of adjustment disorders
Risk Factors for Adjustment Disorders
Impulse Control Disorders
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Kleptomania
Pyromania
Pathological Gambling
Trichotillomania
Compulsive Skin Picking
Personality Disorders
Scope and Nature of Personality Disorders
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Dependent Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder; symptoms, treatment, research, etc.
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.
Duration: 100 hours
Want to learn more about Psychosis, such as schizophrenia, manic depression, bipolar disorder - then have a look at a brief example of the course notes below.
"Psychosis
You have probably heard the word psychosis, it is often used in the everyday language of the layperson to mean “very mad”. In psychology, it is a condition where the person is not in contact with reality like most people. It can take several forms including –
Sensing things that aren’t really there – hallucinations
Believing things not based on reality – delusions
Not realising there is anything wrong with them – lack of insight
Problems thinking clearly – thought insertion, withdrawal, broadcasting thoughts.
There are a number of disorders that come under the general title of psychosis. They are all different in their symptoms, but are similar in the fact that the person is out of touch with reality. The disorders are –
However, there is a lot of controversy about psychiatric classifications of psychoses. Some experts are now arguing that it is more helpful to treat people according to their specific symptoms, e.g. Hearing voices in their head, than to put them under a wide label of “schizophrenic”, which can cover a wide range of people with very different problems. People with long term psychosis often have problems looking after themselves and getting on with other people.
It is not known what causes psychosis, but the most popular theories are –
It is an inherited condition
There is a “wiring problem” in the person’s brain.
There is a chemical imbalance
They are too anxious or stressed.
It is a psychological defence mechanism
A combination of the above.
Psychosis is also brought on in some people by –
Using illegal drugs, such as LSD or cannabis
Brain tumours (cancer)
Infections such as meningitis
Epilepsy
Head injuries" (taken from our Abnormal Psychology course).
So if you want to learn more about Abnormal Psychology - why not try this course? Not sure about Abnormal Psychology, but are interested in other areas of psychology, why not try one of our other psychology courses.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
OTHER COURSES INCLUDE
Introduction to Psychology gives you a good insight into what psychology is, psychological development, environmental influences and so on. Details can be found at -
http://www.acsedu.co.uk/Courses/Psychology/INTRODUCTION-TO-PSYCHOLOGY-BPS101-359.aspx
Or if you are experienced in psychology, perhaps you would like to consider a counselling course. Details on our Counselling Skills I course ca nbe found at -http://www.acsedu.co.uk/Courses/Psychology/COUNSELLING-SKILLS-l-BPS109-475.aspx
Unsure where psychology can take you as a career? Well, psychology is useful in so many different careers today. You can find more information on careers in psychology at our careers website. Why not have a look at - http://www.thecareersguide.com/articles.aspx?category=14
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Home Study - Learn Abnormal Psychology
Learn about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mania, childhood disorders and much, much more...
Understand abnormal behave as the first step towards supporting others as a professional, friend or acquaintance.
A valuable course for anyone who wants to help and support others.
Learn more about psychological disorders, their causes and treatments.
Study in your time and at your own pace.
Learn from our tutors – experts in the field.
