While clinical psychologists may work in many different settings and with different types of patients, they typically see patients suffering from serious mental disorders. To give you an idea of whether or not clinical psychology is right for you, here are some of the most common problems for which clinical psychologists provide treatment. Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a lifelong rollercoaster ride of extreme highs and lows. People with bipolar disorder experience manias during which they feel like they’re on top of the world. While feeling euphoric and energetic, they may be socially vibrant or feel full of creative genius. Conversely, sufferers also have periods of depression when they feel hopeless and may not want to get out of bed for days. While medication can level out the severe mood swings of people with bipolar disorder, a clinical psychologist can help them cope with their feelings through psychotherapy. People with bipolar disorder often need the counseling services provided by clinical psychologists for much of their lives. Anxiety A little bit of stress is good for us. It shows us what’s important in our lives and usually means we’re working toward our goals. But when stress becomes a disability, the consequences can be unhealthy and the condition needs to be treated. Anxiety disorders come in several forms. For example, post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) makes an individual anxious after a terrible ordeal. Many soldiers returning from combat situations suffer from PSTD. Another common anxiety disorder clinical psychologists treat is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Patients with OCD become obsessed with certain thoughts and perform rituals over and over like hand washing or locking doors. Schizophrenia According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 1.1% of the adult population in the United States suffers from schizophrenia. Schizophrenics have trouble separating reality from fantasy in ways that inhibit daily functioning and the ability to develop relationships with others. They often have auditory hallucinations, experience severe paranoia, and come up with elaborate stories to rationalize the belief that others want to harm them. Medications can treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, but it often takes a skilled clinical psychologist to help a schizophrenic learn to trust and participate in community life again. As you can see, clinical psychologists often have hard days at work. The severe nature of their patients’ illnesses means that clinical psychologists experience a great deal of stress. But the work is also highly challenging and rewarding. If reading this list of mental disorders made you want to know more about how to treat these types of patients, a career in clinical psychology programs may be right up your alley.
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