Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.  Psychology is a multifaceted discipline and includes many sub-fields of study such areas as human development, sports, health, clinical, social behavior and cognitive processes.

Psychology is concerned with the experience and behavior of the individual. Behavior is the expression of experience, which belongs to a subject, and which is due to the interaction of subject and object. It implies the duality of subject and object. If there were no subject and object, there would be no experience.

Counseling Psychology

Counseling Psychology is a generalist health service (HSP) specialty in professional psychology that uses a broad range of culturally-informed and culturally-sensitive practices to help people improve their well-being, prevent and alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better in their lives. It focuses specifically but not exclusively on normative life-span development, with a particular emphasis on prevention and education as well as amelioration, addressing individuals as well as the systems or contexts in which they function. It has particular expertise in work and career issues.

Specialized knowledge

Psychologists have an understanding of and capacity to engage in evidence-based and culturally-informed intervention, assessment, prevention, training, and research practices. They focus on healthy aspects and strengths of their clients (whether they are individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, or communities); environmental/contextual influences (such as cultural, sociopolitical, gender, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic factors) that shape people’s experiences and concerns; the role of career and work in peoples’ lives; and advocacy for equity and social justice.

Problems addressed

Counseling psychologists focus on normative developmental and mental health issues and challenges faced by individuals across their lifespan, as well as systemic challenges (such as prejudice and discrimination) experienced in groups, workplaces, organizations, institutions, and communities. They use strengths-based perspectives and practices to prevent and ameliorate emotional, relational, physical/health-related, social, cultural, vocational, educational, and identity-related problems.

Population served

Counseling psychologists serve persons of all ages and cultural backgrounds in individual, group (including couples and families), workplace, organizational, institutional, and community settings. They work with groups and communities to assist them in addressing or preventing problems, as well as to improve the personal and interpersonal functioning of individual members. Counseling psychologists also intervene in organizations, institutions, workplaces, and communities to enhance their effectiveness, climate, and the success and well-being of their members.

Skills & procedures utilized

The procedures and techniques used within counseling psychology include, but are not limited to:

• Individual, family and group counseling and psychotherapy.

• Crisis intervention, disaster and trauma management.

• Assessment techniques for the diagnosis of psychological disorders.

• Programs/workshops that educate and inform the public about mental health, school, family, relationship and workplace issues so that problems can be prevented before they start or reduced before they get worse.

• Consulting with organizations.

• Program evaluation and treatment outcome (e.g., client progress).

• Training.

• Clinical supervision.

• Test construction and validation.

• Research methodologies for scientific investigations.

Some of psychological problems & Symptoms 

Anxiety Disorder:

 A mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worries, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities.

Symptoms:

Symptoms include stress that's out of proportion to the impact of the event, inability to set aside a worry and restlessness. 

Clinical Depression:

A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.

Possible causes include a combination of biological, psychological and social sources of distress. Increasingly, research suggests that these factors may cause changes in brain function, including altered activity of certain neural circuits in the brain.

Symptoms:

Requires a medical diagnosis.

The persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest that characterizes major depression can lead to a range of behavioral and physical symptoms. These may include changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behaviour or self-esteem. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide.

 Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A disorder characterized by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.

  Symptoms:

Symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety or depressed mood.

 Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

Excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviour (compulsions). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to compulsive behaviour.

OCD often centers on themes such as a fear of germs or the need to arrange objects in a specific manner.

Symptoms:

Requires a medical diagnosis

OCD often centers on themes such as a fear of germs or the need to arrange objects in a specific manner. Symptoms usually begin gradually and vary throughout life.

  Dementia

A group of thinking and social symptoms that interferes with daily functioning. Not a specific disease, dementia is a group of conditions characterized by impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and judgment.

Symptoms:

Requires a medical diagnosis.

Symptoms include forgetfulness, limited social skills and thinking abilities so impaired that it interferes with daily functioning.

 Attention-deficit/hyperactivity  disorder (ADHD)

A chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. ADHD often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It may contribute to low self-esteem, troubled relationships and difficulty at school or work.

Symptoms:

Symptoms include limited attention and hyperactivity.

  Autism

A serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact. Autism spectrum disorder impacts the nervous system and affects the overall cognitive, emotional, social and physical health of the affected individual.

Early recognition, as well as behavioral, educational and family therapies may reduce symptoms and support development and learning.

Symptoms:

Requires a medical diagnosis.

The range and severity of symptoms can vary widely. Common symptoms include difficulty with communication, difficulty with social interactions, obsessive interests and repetitive behaviour.

  Bipolar disorder (Manic Depression)

A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. The exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain structure and chemistry may play a role.

Symptoms:

Requires a medical diagnosis.

Manic episodes may include symptoms such as high energy, reduced need for sleep and loss of touch with reality.

Depressive episodes may include symptoms such as low energy, low motivation and loss of interest in daily activities.

Mood episodes last days to months at a time and may also be associated with suicidal thoughts.

 Schizophrenia

A disorder that affects a person's ability to think, feel and behave clearly. The exact cause of schizophrenia isn't known, but a combination of genetics, environment and altered brain chemistry and structure may play a role.

Symptoms:

Requires a medical diagnosis.

Schizophrenia is characterized by thoughts or experiences that seem out of touch with reality, disorganized speech or behaviour and decreased participation in daily activities. Difficulty with concentration and memory may also be present.

 

Consult a Psychiatrist for medical advice

 

Note: The information you see describes what usually happens with a medical condition, but doesn't apply to everyone. This information isn't medical advice, so make sure that you contact a health care provider if you have a medical problem. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or a emergency number immediately.