Assessment and Treatment of Psychological Disorders
Unit code: HAYS422
| Credit points | 12.5 Credit Points |
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| Contact hours | 36 hours |
| Campus | Singapore |
| Prerequisites | |
| Corequisites | Nil |
Related course(s)
A unit of study in the Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Professional Counselling) and Master of Social Science (Professional Counselling).
Aims and objectives
Aims
This unit provides an introduction to the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders. A particular focus of this unit relates to developing a comprehensive understanding of issues related to the definition of mental disorders, the nature of psychological disorders and treatment approaches (especially understanding anxiety and depression within the clinical and non-clinical contexts). Legal issues in mental health and the role of psychopharmacology are also introduced.
This unit provides an introduction to the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders. A particular focus of this unit relates to developing a comprehensive understanding of issues related to the definition of mental disorders, the nature of psychological disorders and treatment approaches (especially understanding anxiety and depression within the clinical and non-clinical contexts). Legal issues in mental health and the role of psychopharmacology are also introduced.
Learning Objectives
After successfully completing this unit, students should be able to:
After successfully completing this unit, students should be able to:
* Demonstrate understanding and ability to undertake an psychological assessment, which includes: Identifying patient-concerns;
diagnostic assessment; therapist-client therapeutic goals; possible therapeutic barriers to change
* Demonstrate understanding of definitions, criteria and differences of psychological disorders
* Demonstrate knowledge of legal issues associated with mental health
* Demonstrate knowledge of the role of psychopharmacology in treatment processes
Teaching methods
Class sessions involving lectures, discussions, reflective activities, case studies and class participation.
Assessment
A graded unit consisting of:
* One essay 2000 words (90%)
* One essay 2000 words (90%)
* Active participation in classes. (10%)
Generic skills outcomes
The graduate attributes associated with this unit of study are as follows:
Graduates:
* are capable in their chosen professional areas.
* operate effectively in work and community.
* are adaptable and manage change.
* are aware of environments.
* are entrepreneurial.
Content
Specific topics within the broad area of psychological disorders will be covered as follows:
* Brief history of psychiatry
* Brief history of psychiatry
* Classification of mental disorders
* Overview of common mental disorders
* Brief overview of psychotropic drugs
* Mental health laws in Singapore
* Depression and its treatment
* Anxiety and its management
* Suicide prevention crisis management
* Suicidal behaviour in other countries
Reading materials
American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Edition), Text Revision, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
Barlow, D.H. & Durand, V.M., Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach, Wadsworth, New York, 2002.
Bourne E. J., The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (4th Edition), New Harbinger Publications, California, 2005.
Bourne, E. J., Garano, L., Coping with Anxiety: 10 Simple Ways to Relieve Anxiety, Fear, and Worry, New Harbinger Publications, California, 2003.
Claridge, G., Davis, C., Personality and Psychological Disorders, Oxford University Press, USA, 2003.
Hassan, R., A Way of Dying, Oxford University Press, 1983.
Kok, L. P., Tsoi, W. F., Fung, M., The Wish To Die: Suicide Behaviour in Singapore, Samaritans of Singapore, Singapore, 1993.
Mehta, K., Giving Up Hope: A Study of Attempted Suicide Indian Woman, Times Book International, 1994.
Millon, T., Disorders of Personality: DSM-IV and Beyond (2nd Edition), John Wiley & Sons, NY, 1995.
Peng, K. L., Cheang, M. & Tsee, C. K., Mental Disorder and the Law, Singapore University Press, Singapore, 1994.
Roberts, A. R., Crisis Management & Brief Treatment: Theory, Technique and Applications, Wadsworth, USA, 1996.
Robinson, D. J., Field Guide to Personality Disorders, Rapid Psychler Press, USA, 1999.
Robinson, D. J., The Personality Disorders Explained (A pocket guide; condensed from the Field Guide to Personality Disorders), Rapid Psychler Press, USA, 2000.
Sadock, B.J. & Sadock V.A., Kaplan and Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry (8th Edition), Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 2004.
World Health Organisation, ICD 10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorder, World Health Organisation, Geneve, 1992.
