PSYCHPHARM SEG 3: General Psychopathology

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CA$220.00

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The Psychopharmacology and General Psychopathology course (15 hours or 1 credit) is designed for students wishing to gain an in-depth knowledge of a variety of mental health disorders and the use of psychotropic medication in their treatment. Students will become acquainted with the primary symptoms that encompass several disorders, including, obsessive compulsive disorder, psychotic disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and substance related disorders. Etiologies and risk factors will be discussed as well as the differential diagnoses that one must be aware of when assessing a client. Finally, students will learn the primary psychotropic medications used in the treatment of these disorders and possible side effects that mental health clinicians must be aware of when working with clients.

DBN Elite is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. DBN Elite maintains responsibility for the program.

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Learning Objectives

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to…

  1.  Identify the primary symptoms of mental health disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder, psychotic disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder, and substance related disorders.
  2. Assess for differential diagnoses of various disorders.
  3.  Identify the primary psychotropic medications used to treat specific mental health disorders.

The course lecture will be available online at DBN Elite. Students will be assessed twice throughout the course. They will be asked to complete a case study assignment and complete a final exam.

The course is pass/fail, no numeric grade will be provided. A passing grade is 75%.

–Assignment (60%): You will be asked to submit a case study assignment after the completion of the lecture. Assignment instructions and rubric will be posted on the DBN Elite website. 

The assignment will consist of 3 clinical cases for which you have to demonstrate your knowledge. Your response to each case should be 500 words and should draw upon the material presented in the lecture and the required readings.

Each response should be structured in the following manner: 

  • Briefly introduce the case
  • Provide a diagnosis supported by an analysis of the client’s presentation. Include any differential diagnoses as well
  • A treatment plan, with mention of the possible risks associated with the psychotropic medication(s) you suggest

**Note that for each case, you will be provided with questions that should be answered in your responses. This information will be available to you as you are completing the assignment. 

Other guidelines to follow: 

-Use the required textbooks to support your analysis. Quotes are not required, however, you should summarize and apply key concepts 

-You will not be required to use additional resources, however, any reference made to the textbook should be cited in accordance with APA standards 

–Final Exam (40%): The course evaluation will be a cumulative exam that consists of 35 multiple-choice and true or false questions designed to assess your knowledge of psychopharmacology. The final exam will be available to you once you have completed the lecture. A passing grade is 75% or 27 correct questions. 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

  • Related disorders
  • Etiology
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Pharmacological treatment

Psychotic Disorders

  • Different disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Etiology
  • Early indicators
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Neurochemical hypothesis
  • Pharmacological treatment

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Etiology
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Pharmacological treatment

Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Etiology
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Pharmacological treatment

Substance Related Disorders

  • Terminology

  • Etiology, pharmacological treatment,and notes for: alcohol, opiates,hallucinogens, and cannabis

Segment 3: Pre-recorded Q&A Exercise