Psychology of Anxiety, Mood, Substance Use, and Addictive Behaviors

Feeling anxiety from time to time is a normal part of life, but when such feelings begin to interfere with the quality of a person’s life they should seek professional help. This course provides a review of common disorders for which anxiety is a key symptom. These include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition, this course discusses diagnostic criteria, contributing factors, and treatments for each disorder.

Depressive and bipolar disorders are estimated to affect more than 400 million people around the globe. Although treatments are available, most people who are affected by these disorders are not properly diagnosed or treated. This course provides a review of common depressive and bipolar disorders, including dysthymic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, peripartum depressive disorder, as well as bipolar type I disorder, bipolar type II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. In addition, the course presents the diagnostic criteria, demographics, contributing factors, and treatments for each disorder.

Many people around the world struggle with substance use disorders and addictive behaviors. You might know someone, possibly a family member or close friend, who is currently dealing with one of these problems. This course provides a review of common substance use disorders associated with the use of common depressants, opioids, stimulants, hallucinogens, dissociative drugs, and inhalants. Because they share many of the same characteristics, addictive behaviors, such as gambling and gaming disorders, are covered. In addition, the course discusses the diagnostic criteria, demographics, contributing factors, and treatments for each disorder.