Diploma in Psychiatric Disorders Awareness

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. UK students will receive the core textbook free; non-uk students will need to buy the book from an on-line bookstore or other source.

Method of assessment

Continuous assessment - there is no final exam. Students will be asked to write brief essays after reading certain chapters.