Ilse Orozco
English 110
3/5/13
Psychology “Psychology is the discipline concerned with behavior and mental processes and how they are affected by an organisms physical state, mental state, and external environment” (G-6Tavris, Wade). The theories and information are gathered several ways such as case studies, or experimental groups. People that work under psychology fields are motivated to find a deeper motive, reveal the unconscious. Psychology was first founded in 1879 and has continued to grow over the years, being an important science all around the world.
Popular psychology is the psychology that is on the web, or television and even books that are published for people to read, but most of the time the stuff said in these resources is false, although most people usually begin believe it. People tend to confuse psychobabble with real psychology, not knowing what is true and what is false, leaving them with false illusions of the real science.
As far as psychological disorders there are new ones being discovered and treated frequently. There are many different kinds of psychological disorders. Psychological disorders occur for different reasons such as chemical imbalances or genetics. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder are some psychological disorders to name a few.
“Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder where people have difficulty distinguishing reality from unreal experiences” (1, Brunet-Gouet). People with schizophrenia may suffer from hallucinations and delusions. If victims of this mental disorder fail to take medications, their ability to be independent will corrupt over time. Other symptoms may include: thought disorder, disorganized behavior, memory retention, trouble focusing, social isolation, etc. There are different types of schizophrenia. They are: paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and residual. Medical treatment is the best solution for victims, but is often unwanted due to the effects that come along with taking the medication. However, there are newer medications with fewer effects. It is also very helpful when victims seek for therapy.
“Bipolar, or Bipolar Disorder, is a psychiatric condition of extreme mood swings that affects 1 out of 45 Americans in the US” (1, lemon). There are two types of bipolar disorders: Bipolar I, and Bipolar II, Bipolar I being the most severe case. People with a bipolar disorder most often feel lonely and confused. Medication, counseling, and therapy are forms of treatment for this mood swing disorder.
“Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is an anxiety disorder that can develop after an exposure to a severe traumatic event.” (1,Lemon) PTSD can be developed for different reasons varying from rape, military, abuse, or accidents. A victim of this disorder relives the trauma for month’s sometimes-even years after the incident occurred with nightmares or flashbacks. To treat this disorder there is medication and psychotherapy.
There are several jobs that fit under the psychology field, such as: clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers, to name some. Some of these careers are very similar yet have their differences. “Clinical psychology is concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders.” (1, Cherry). Clinical psychologists do not have their doctorates, therefore, they cannot prescribe medication. It is one of the largest subfields of psychologists. Clinical psychologists most frequently work in hospitals, mental health clinics, or though private practices. “A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in the treatment of mental disorders.”(1, Cherry). The difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that a psychologist cannot prescribe medication and a psychiatrist can. Psychiatrists can also perform physical exams. It takes an estimation of 12 years to become a psychiatrist due to all the schooling. There are different kinds of