Question by babyblue: What psychology classed should I take in college?
I want to be a psychologist (therapist, counselor) for teen girls. So what type of classes do I take for that? Do they have psychology for teens? And how do I decide what kind of psychologist I want to be. Are there any good books about psychology I should read? I’m just a little confused on how I become a specific type a psychologist.
-thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by SHay
First speak with your guidance counselor and if he/she isn’t any help i think you should start off with Psychology 101. The basic and branch off from there.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by Lightningbug: What makes something a mental health issue as opposed to a regular health issue that involves the brain?
For instance, epilepsy is not considered a “mental health” problem even though it’s something that’s happening in the brain. Schizophrenia has to do with brain chemicals, but it’s a mental health issue.

Best answer:

Answer by ~~Birdy~~
VERY INTERESTING QUESTION!

I have wondered the same thing as my bipolar is clearly a medical issue and I respond well and quickly to medication. “Therapy” would do me absolutely no good since the problem is clearly chemical. Not only that, but the mood stabilizer I take is also used to treat epilepsy as well (and was originally designed to treat it)

So… why the distinction between the two, since they both involve the brain? Oh, and MRIs of Schizophrenic patients DO show abnormalities, so I don’t understand why it’s not considered a brain disease, rather than a mental disorder.

Again, very interesting question and one I have been meaning to ask myself because of the stigma of mental illness. Why not epilepsy too? Some forms of epilepsy include seizures that disorient the individual (no convulsions, just staring into space) and cause mood changes as well. There are so many different types of seizures, yet they are not considered a mental illness.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by revert-to-plan-b: What psychology careers are there to choose from?
Ok, so here are my interests:
I like Psychology, but I don’t want to be anything like a psychologist. What other careers are there along the psychology lines that have a little less communication with people?
I also like dream psychology and forensics. So, if you know any careers that incorporate one of those, that would be helpful as well.

Best answer:

Answer by dado757
http://psychology.about.com/b/2008/07/14/6-psychology-careers-you-should-consider.htm

Does this help at all? If not, very briefly, look into these fields:

Industrial-Organization Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Neuropsychology (what I am going for)
Rehabilitation Psychology
Health Psychology

Hope I helped somewhat

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Ashley A: What are the difference between these Mental Health Professionals?
What is the difference between a Mental Health Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Psychologist, and a Mental Health Physician? I know that schooling is probably different. Do any of them have the ability to prescribe? Also, is there a difference between Behavioral health and Mental health? If so what is it so I know what kind of Dr. I should go see. Thank you!!

Best answer:

Answer by Libraryanna
A social worker has a master’s degree. A psychologist has a doctorate in psychology. A physician who specializes in mental health is a psychiatrist and, in addition to medical school, has several years of specialized training.

The prescribing ability depends on the state. In many cases, however, the social worker or psychologist refers the patient to a psychiatrist for prescriptions, if needed, but does therapy themselves. Social workers usually concentrate on how your problems affect your ability to function in society. (It varies a lot though). Generally they do more short term treatment focused on functioning. They are not usually ones to treat very serious mental illnesses. For more serious problems, a psychologist is more appropriate as they also focus on the mental processes. A psychiatrist is best if it’s a chemical disorder or the most serious of mental illnesses, such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia.

Cant’ advise you as to which you should see without knowing what problems you think you have.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by EmmieG: MENTAL HEALTH???????????????????????
I’m 14.
According to the internet, online quizzes and such, I have had soooo many disorders
I used to have every symptom of serious depression, including cutting and such .. :\
Multiple personality disorder and mood disorder. Allsorts. I never tell anyone…… it would sound pretty stupid “hey, I did all these online quizzes and I have all these disorders … take me to a doctor?”
No. Just, no.
But what I’m saying is, could it get bad if someone has mental health problems and they are left untreated?
I’ve been falling out with friends and everything with mood-swings and such that are totally unlike me.

Best answer:

Answer by Judy & Charlie
You sound a little anxious and obsessive about “having” a disorder.
Remember that taking the online quizzes are not the same as seeing a mental health professional for a diagnosis, don’t you?
You may have help sorting out your emotional condition by keeping a daily journal and writing in it about what you felt this day or that way and how you analyzed certain situations you were in. Do this for a few months and then, look back on what you’ve written.
If you do need to seek professional help, your journal will be an excellent diagnostic tool. If, in time, you feel that you have developed better control over your emotions, that will be obvious, too.
I wish you all the best.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by Princess0717: Mental health?
Can a regular M.D diagnose a mental illness, or does a mental health professional have to do it??

Best answer:

Answer by rcarolyn28
Mental Health Professional

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by Lee D: mental health?
I need the name of a book that discusses why some people don’t seek treatment for mental health issues,by a Ph.D. would be best. This is for a research project.The reasons why men come home from war and some don’t have problems and others do .Opinions don’t count unless you’re a psychologist.

Best answer:

Answer by Emma T
I don’t know about books, but you could try arXiv for research papers.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Eyes have not seen…: Mental Health?
As a Social Worker, I am looking for better ways to engage clients with severe mental health dx’s (schiophrenia, bi-polar, paranoia, etc.) to get them interested or involeved in their care. Any suggestions of approaches? Also what do u find helpful when trying o speak to a client wxperiencing delusions/hallucinations?

Best answer:

Answer by Brad W
when speaking to them during a hallucination… keep asking them what they are seeing ask them to describe what is going on and calmly talk to them slipping in a couple questions you really want to know the answer to

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by meeper23: What kind of job in psychology can you get with a bachelor of arts in psychology?
Hi, I got my bachelor of arts in psychology and minor in criminal justice a couple of months ago. I was planning to go to grad school to get a doctorate but I wanted to get work experience in the psychology field before I make that kind of commitment. Are there psychology jobs that you can get with a bachelor of arts in psychology? Any psychology job at all?

Best answer:

Answer by hpetry1973
You may be able to find a job as a case worker. However, most “psycholgy” jobs require an advanced degree.

I am a psych major now as well. I’m taking a careers of psychology class at the moment and there are many opportunites out there for psych majors. Most are entry level and do not pay much. But it is a very broad field. With going into criminal justice, you may want to check with some local police stations. They may offer you an internship to gain some experience. If you do a search on “psychology careers” you will find all sorts of great information.

Hope this helps!

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by whats the meaning of life: PSYCHOLOGY???????????????????
IS A PSYCHOLOGIST AND A PSYCHIATRIST BASICALY THE SAME

Best answer:

Answer by David Martin
The simplest way to describe the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that a psychologist primarily aids the depressed patient by counseling and psychotherapy. A psychiatrist may also perform psychotherapy; but, in addition, can prescribe medications and perform ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. A psychologist may hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) and be called “doctor”; but, is not a medical doctor (M.D.).

What do you think? Answer below!