Lesson 1: Anxiety Disorders: An Integrative Approach
Anxiety disorders are the third most commonly occurring mental disorders, manifested by disturbances of mood, thinking, behavior, and physiological activity. The five major types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the types of anxiety disorders, conventional treatment modalities, and integrative treatment approaches.
Lesson 2: Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents: An Integrative Approach
It is sometimes difficult to determine if a child or adolescent is going through a “phase” or showing signs of a more serious psychiatric challenge such as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in moods and energy. These shifts are different from the normal “ups and downs” that every child or teenager goes through from time to time. Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder can suffer from damaged relationships, substance misuse, and poor school performance, and they can even commit suicide. However, today there are more treatment options available than ever before for children and adolescents with this disorder.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe bipolar disorder in children and adolescents, including the symptoms, risk factors, and traditional treatment methods available for this specific population as well as integrative approaches to assessing, treating, and managing the disorder.
Lesson 3: Sleep Disorders: An Integrative Approach
Sleep disorders are common complaints, and they include difficulty falling asleep, early awakening, and interrupted sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one third of adults say they get enough sleep every night.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe sleep disorders and conventional as well as integrative treatment approaches for sleep disorders. The primary types of sleep disorders, methods of diagnosing sleep conditions, conventional treatments, and integrative approaches will be presented.
Lesson 4: Mental Health and Aging
The enormous increase in the diverse elderly population has prompted a vital societal challenge: the design and delivery of mental health services to older adults. Because the elderly population in the United States and globally is projected to grow rapidly, the need for geriatric mental health services will also increase dramatically. Continued intellectual, social, and physical activity throughout the life cycle are important for the maintenance of mental health in later life. This course explores the personal factors and mental health concerns for older adults; common mental health concerns among older adults as well as traditional and alternative therapies, treatments, and interventions; cultural competency as it relates to mental health concerns; barriers to mental health care in older adults and alternate resources; and trends and initiatives in mental health for older adults.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to discuss the commonly occurring mental health concerns experienced by older adults, including important factors related to mental health promotion and wellness, as well as strategies, therapies, and services that may be directed at improving the mental health of older adults.
Lesson 5: Depression: An Integrative Approach
Depression is one of the most serious and costly health care problems facing the United States today. It is one of the most common types of mental disorders. Depression interferes with an individual’s daily life and normal functioning and may cause emotional pain for the individual with the disorder as well as family and friends. Although depression is a common but serious mental illness, with treatment depressive symptoms can be alleviated.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the different forms of depressive disorders, including the pathophysiology, symptoms, and diagnosis of depression, and to describe the conventional and integrative treatment approaches for depression.
Lesson 6: Chronic Pain: An Integrative Approach to Effective Pain Management
Pain is a universal experience for virtually every human being and is an indication that something is wrong. Pain interferes with the enjoyment of life. It makes it difficult to work, socialize with friends and family, sleep, and accomplish activities of daily living. It may reduce productivity and create financial hardships in terms of lost work and high medical bills. Chronic pain can lead to a loss of appetite, depression, and many other physical and psychological consequences as well as a loss of the joy of life.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the scope of chronic pain, key historical events in pain management, the physiology of pain, types of pain, conventional pharmacological treatments for pain, and integrative approaches to pain management.
Lesson 7: Alzheimer's Disease: Mysteries and Possibilities
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a condition in which the concept of loss is profound and central—the loss of one’s memories, independence, ability to recognize loved ones, and dignity. Often referred to as “the long goodbye,” AD is the most common type of dementia, affecting millions of Americans. It is responsible for billions of dollars annually in health care costs. However, new research is providing hope for those with Alzheimer’s disease as well as for their families and caregivers.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the signs and symptoms of AD, methods of diagnosis, aspects of care and treatment, caregiver issues, integrative health considerations, and implications for the future of Alzheimer’s disease and various other types of dementia.
Lesson 8: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When individuals experience a traumatic, terrifying, life-changing event or series of events, with a real or threatened risk of death, they may develop a variety of symptoms known as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although this condition has been described throughout history, veteran groups and health care providers have been slow to acknowledge its existence or explore the many dimensions of the disorder. Fortunately, this is changing as more individuals begin to discuss the personal and health-related issues concerning PTSD.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the nature and extent of PTSD as well as potential causes of the disorder, risk factors associated with PTSD, symptoms and diagnostic criteria for individuals with PTSD, and current treatment options for individuals with PTSD.
Lesson 9: ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. Usually first diagnosed in childhood, it often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD have trouble paying attention, focusing, and controlling impulsive behaviors, or they may be overly active.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe ADHD, including the signs and symptoms of the disorder, potential causes and risk factors, diagnostic issues to consider, and traditional as well as integrative treatment options.
Lesson 10: Substance Use Disorder and Addiction—Recognition, Intervention, and Prevention
Individuals engage in substance use and addictive behaviors for a variety of complex reasons. Substances and addictive behaviors can produce intoxication that alters judgment, perception, attention, and physical control. Substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction impact individuals, families, and communities across the globe. Social attitudes and political, legal, and public-health responses to substance use and addictive behaviors make this an especially complicated issue. Prevention, early intervention, and the availability of a variety of treatment options contribute significantly to reducing the incidence and impact of substance use disorder and addiction.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the key issues in the recognition, intervention, and prevention of substance use disorder (SUD) and addictive behaviors.
Lesson 11: Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention
Suicide—taking your own life—is a tragic reaction to stressful life circumstances. Approximately 700,000 to one million people die by suicide in the world each year. This means someone dies by suicide every 40 seconds. In the United States, there is one death by suicide every 12 minutes. Understanding the issues surrounding suicide and mental health is a vital step in preventing suicide, helping others in crisis, and changing the way all of us view suicide and mental health issues.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the incidence of suicide, associated risk factors, and evidence-based approaches to treatment and prevention.