Diploma in Abnormal Psychology

What the course covers (this syllabus is subject to change):

The nature of abnormal behaviour
The history of psychopathology
The role of science in abnormal psychology
Current approaches to abnormality
I - Biology
II - Psychoanalysis
III - Humanistic and Existential theories
IV - Learning theories and Behaviour Therapy
V - Cognitive Theories and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
The Diathesis-Stress Perspective
Eclecticism and Different Perspectives

Classification and diagnosis of abnormal behaviour
Clinical assessment procedures - psychological and biological
Cultural diversity and bias in assessment
Research methods in studying abnormal behaviour

Anxiety disorders: phobias, panic, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder
Somatoform disorders including body dysmorphic disorder and conversion disorder
Dissociative disorders including Dissociative Identity Disorder

Stress, health and the link between body and mind
Heart disease, asthma, hypertension and stress
AIDS prevention and the behavioural sciences
Social status, ethnicity, gender and health
Therapies for psychophysiological disorders

Eating disorders - etiology and treatment
Mood disorders - general characteristics (depression, mania, bipolar)
Mood disorders - psychological and biological approaches
Mood disorders - therapies
Childhood and adolescent depression
Suicide

Schizophrenia: description, etiology, history, therapies

Substance-related disorders: alcohol abuse, smoking, marijuana, sedatives/stimulants, LSD/hallucinogens, etiology of substance abuse, therapies for alcohol dependence, treatments for illegal drugs, prevention

Personality disorders: classification, description, therapies (including borderline and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders)

Sexual and gender identity disorders including gender identity disorder and sexual dysfunctions: descriptions, etiology, therapies

Childhood disorders: ADHD, conduct disorder, learning disabilities, retardation, autistic disorders. Descriptions, etiology, treatments.

Abnormal behaviour in the elderly: discussion of social issues, old age and psychological disorders, brain disorders (dementia, delirium ), psychological disorders in old age, treatment and care, therapy with older adults

Does psychological therapy work? general issues, psychoanalytic therapies, client-centered therapy, gestalt, behavioural and cognitive techniques, couple & family therapy, community psychology, integrative therapies, cultural/racial factors

Legal and ethical matters: criminal and civil commitment, ethics in therapy and research

A university-level textbook of over 600 pages is required as the main book for the course. Apart from the main text, at least 3 other books will be required for the special topics (see below).

Finally, the student takes 3 set taught units on special topics. These units will be selected by the course tutor, according to the student’s interests, from the distance learning units available to us.

Special Topics

Counselling Skills
Understanding Psychiatric Drugs
Symptoms of Mental Illness
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Introduction to Psychotherapy
Anorexia and Bulimia
Dissociative Disorders
Schizophrenia
Integration of Traditional Healing Practices (available to qualified counsellors/psychotherapists/mental health workers only)
(requests for other topics will be considered)

Method of assessment

Continuous assessment - there is no final exam. Students will be asked to write brief essays after reading certain chapters. The questions set on the main syllabus will be broadly-based, allowing the student to demonstrate general understanding of the issues covered in the textbook and to include any necessary facts that support the answer given. Further questions will be issued on the supplementary reading required for the additional specialist topics. All assessment work may be done at home and e-mailed or posted to the college.