Helping Psychology – July 2010

As summer’s in full-swing Helping Psychology offers overheated readers a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the latest psychological discourse. This month find out how introverted job seekers can compete against their outgoing counterparts for a new position and learn why a new diagnostic tool for Alzheimer’s disease can help patients live longer, fuller lives. 

Intermittent Explosive Disorder: Diagnosis of the Week

Patients with a history of angry outbursts and aggressive behavior may be suffering from a mental illness called Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Symptoms include domestic violence, road rage, destruction of property and temper tantrums. Treatment of this disorder is often successful with a combination of medication and psychotherapy aimed at discovering the underlying anger issues.

Forging a Career in Engineering Psychology

Engineering psychology is a little known discipline in the field of psychology, one that is gaining momentum as a lucrative industry faster than other fields in this sector.  Engineering psychology is the study of the interaction between humans and the machines, such as computers, that facilitate life in the modern era. 

John Dewey: Noteworthy Psychologist

Educational psychologist John Dewey is renowned for his contributions to education reform, namely that of the progressive education model.  He believed that students absorb information by doing rather than merely listening, which is the credo of progressive education. John Dewey also participated in formulating the theory of functional psychology.  

Heinz Kohut and Self Psychology

Self-Psychology is a subfield of psychology that explores the cognitive representation of each individual’s identity, which is similar to the concept of the persona. Psychologist Heinz Kohut proposed that the self equates to the persona of an individual, which is what is displayed to the outside world. Kohut also examined the ways in which an individual's childhood experiences shape the adult persona.

Psychology Graduate School Requirements

Graduate students are often required to take courses that serve as prerequisites for upper level classes. In a psychology graduate program, students are urged to take courses in communications, experimental design and writing before applying for an intensive graduate course of study. Learn about the best classes to take as prerequisites before becoming a psychology graduate student.

Cyclothymia: Diagnosis of the Week

As a mood disorder, Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar disorder in that patients suffer from periods of hypomania, which are followed by episodes of serious depression. Treatment for this disorder requires a combination of medication and therapy, as antidepressants alone can lead to severe manic episodes.

Career Paths in Forensic Psychology

The job description of a forensic psychologist includes many tasks, from counseling inmates to testifying in court. Prospective forensic psychologists are encouraged to focus on one clearly identified career path, such as testimonial evaluation or strictly criminal interaction. Helping Psychology offers students a chance to explore the numerous career possibilities available with a degree in forensic psychology.

Shy Job Seekers: Tips for Success

Finding a job can be a nerve-racking process for even the most seasoned job seeker, but the interviews, networking meetings and constant communication can leave introverts feeling overwhelmed and ready to throw in the towel. Helping Psychology has the tips that shy job seekers need to succeed in their endeavors. 

Degrees Required for Prospective Psychologists

Psychology is offered as a major at any level of study including bachelor’s, masters and doctoral level programs. Each level of college degree allows a psychology major to work in certain sectors; those with a higher degree are often able to choose from a wider range of professions. Helping Psychology describes the types of positions available to each respective degree holder.

Link between Alcoholism and Anxiety

A recent study by Dr. Subhash Pandey and his team at the University of Illinois has uncovered a link between anxiety disorder and alcoholism on a molecular level. This in-depth study could lead to new medications that will reduce the anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal, while simultaneously decreasing the desire to drink.

Dementia: Diagnosis of the Week

Memory-loss associated with aging is common, but when it interferes with a person’s ability to think, evaluate and complete ordinary tasks, it may be a more serious condition known as vascular dementia. Akin to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia causes patients to experience complete mental oblivion that is irreversible. Treatment for this disease is often limited to hospice care and intervention.

Cyberbullying: An Old Problem with a New Twist

Kids have been bullied since the inception of the school house, but cyberbullying facilitates this behavior by making it easier to conduct. Children and teens with cellphones, personal computers and social media profiles are habitually targeted by bullies who would rather engage in cyberspace rather than face-to-face confrontations.

Genetic Counseling: Predicting the Future

Genetic counselors are health care specialists that provide support and guidance to individuals with loved ones who suffer from genetic disorders. Genetic counselors often hold degrees in both psychology and medicine and are familiar with topics such as psychosocial theory, ethics, genetics and counseling.

Adjustment Disorder: Diagnosis of the Week

Adjustment disorder causes a patient to experience significant anxiety or panic after a change in routine occurs. Buying a new home, getting married, having a baby or any other major life change triggers adjustment disorder, which can be treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Treating Performance Anxiety in Athletes

Athletes, even at a professional level, occasionally experience anxiety that interferes with their performance; they are literally unable to put on their best game. Sports psychologists work to reduce the mental interference experienced by athletes to facilitate an all-star performance.

Mary Whiton Calkins: Noteworthy Psychologist

An advocate of self-psychology, Mary Whiton Calkins succeeded in a field once dominated by men and opened the doors for women psychologists to come. In recognition for her contributions to the field of self psychology, Calkins was elected to be the first woman president of the American Psychological Association as well as the American Philosophical Association.

How to Have Romantic Relationships with the Bipolar

Sharing an intimate relationship with a bipolar person is somewhat of a rollercoaster ride; navigating the ups and downs is exhausting and sometimes a deal-breaker. But managing a romance in the midst of bipolar disorder is not impossible; it just requires patience and understanding. 

Dealing with Adolescent Rage

Teenagers that are dealing with periods of uncontrollable rage that include violence and screaming, may well be dealing with something far more complex than hormonal changes; they may be suffering from a personality disorder. Parents can take note of how to handle rage behavior in this informative post.

Hypochondria: Worrying Life Away

Hypochondriacs associate common bodily sensations such as headaches or stomachaches with serious illnesses and often spend time perusing the Internet to determine a diagnosis with absolutely no medical basis. Hypochondria is akin to an anxiety disorder and is treated using cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants.

Introverts: More Than Meets the Eye

Many people feel uncomfortable in social gatherings and prefer to listen rather than speak in most situations, but that doesn’t mean that they are antisocial or awkward. People such as this are merely introverted, which means that they draw strength from inside themselves rather than the outside world. Discover the hidden side of introverts and find out if you fit the bill by reading the full article.

Effects of Caffeine on Student Test Scores

High school and college students are under a lot of pressure to make the grade, and sometimes they turn to stimulants to help stay alert and study. Students consume Red Bull, coffee and other highly caffeinated drinks on a regular basis, but a recent study uncovered the fact that caffeine has no real effect on students’ test scores.

Personality Trait Theory

In 1936, pioneering psychologist Gordon Allport began applying the principles of scientific taxonomy to the study of character traits. He developed the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), which is still widely used in business settings and psychological evaluations.

Psychology 101: Optimal Distinctiveness Theory

Optimal distinctiveness theory presupposes that individuals work to attain a balance between three basic emotional needs including the need to be assimilated into a group, to be linked to family and friends and to have a certain degree of distinctiveness and independence.

Inside the Mind of an Extravert

Extraverts are often heralded as the life of the party…and every other situation. Extraverts love people and live for human interaction. They garner strength from communicating with others and from speaking their minds. Find out how introverts and extraverts cohabitate and other interesting tidbits by reading the full article.

Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease

Avid Radiopharmaceuticals recently announced a new technique that allows doctors to diagnose Alzheimer's disease using a PET scan. The scan, reportedly able to detect plaques in the brain, allows doctors to facilitate patients in living longer through early diagnosis of the disease.

Psychology Web Resources

Psychology students preparing to write a thesis paper or who are studying for an upcoming exam can use the Internet to supplement information found in textbooks and other sources. Knowing where to look is the first step. Helping Psychology lists the best web resources for psychology students in this comprehensive article.

Online Psychology Degrees

In lieu of a traditional classroom setting, busy students can attend an online university and get a degree on their own time. But students must be aware of the many less than reputable online programs before signing up for a graduate program.  

Exercise to Reduce Depression

A 2001 study conducted by Duke University found that exercise is much more effective at treating depression than conventional pharmacological approaches using antidepressants. Exercise was found to positively affect neurotransmitter systems in the brain, which in turn lifted the patient out of depression as the level of endorphins present in the body increased.

Premature Babies at Risk for Learning Disabilities

Researchers in Oregon recently determined that babies born a week or two early were 16 percent more likely to develop learning disabilities. An underdeveloped brain causes numerous malfunctions in body systems and can lead to neurological problems such as ADHD and Autism.

Erectile Dysfunction and Sexually Transmitted Disease

The Annals of Internal Medicine recently conducted a study that explored the connection between men who have erectile dysfunction (ED) and an increase in sexually transmitted-diseases among middle-aged men. Users of ED drugs were found to be having more unsafe sex than those not using the drugs. Read more to find out why.