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Schizophrenia

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Schizophrenia

Instructor: Matt Kurtz

96,923 already enrolled

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

2,479 reviews

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

Flexible schedule

6 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

2,479 reviews

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

Flexible schedule

6 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

99%

Most learners liked this course

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

2 assignments

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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There are 5 modules in this course

The main goal of this class is to gain an introductory exposure to the nature of the psychiatric disorder known as schizophrenia as revealed by the scientific method. We will discuss a broad range of findings from the scientific investigation of biological and psychological factors related to schizophrenia and its treatment. More specifically we will learn about: (1) key symptomatic features through discussion and enactments of interviews with actors portraying many of the cardinal features of the illness, (2) what brain imaging studies (MRI and fMRI) and neurochemistry have taught us about the neuroscience of the disorder, (3) scientific psychological data and theories concerning cognition, emotion and behavior in schizophrenia, and (4) current, evidence-based somatic and psychosocial approaches to treatment. A brief historical overview of the recent emergence of the psychiatric category of schizophrenia will be presented as well.

The first module is focused on introducing key symptom characteristics of the psychiatric diagnosis known as schizophrenia, and describes current thinking around potential causes and biological correlates of the disorder.

What's included

6 videos

The second module is focused on a continuing exploration of symptoms in the disorder through simulated client-clinician interactions. Lectures in this unit also focus on the history of the treatment of schizophrenia in Western culture.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment2 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 42 minutes

Demonstration: Paranoid Example9 minutes
Demonstration: Negative Symptoms Example11 minutes
History of the Diagnosis of Schizophrenia11 minutes
History of Treatments for Schizophrenia12 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Midterm Exam30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Discussion Prompt: Paranoid Example10 minutes
Discussion Prompt: Negative Symptoms Example10 minutes

In the third module we begin to discuss the neurochemistry of the disorder as well as common manifestations of those diagnosed with schizophrenia on structural and functional brain MRI scans. First, though, we look at two more client-clinician simulations to explore symptoms and recovery.

What's included

5 videos2 discussion prompts

5 videosTotal 28 minutes

Demonstration: Schizophrenia with Disorganized Features7 minutes
Demonstration: Recovered Patient6 minutes
Human Neuroanatomy and History of Neuroimaging6 minutes
Structural Neuroimaging5 minutes
Functional Neuroimaging4 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Discussion Prompt: Disorganized Patient10 minutes
Discussion Prompt: Recovered Patient10 minutes

In the fourth module we discuss common cognitive deficits, disruptions in social cognition and cognitive models of the disorder.

What's included

8 videos

8 videosTotal 65 minutes

Human Neuroanatomy and Dopamine Hypothesis - Part 111 minutes
Dopamine Hypothesis - Part 26 minutes
Psychology of Schizophrenia: Introduction and History5 minutes
Cognitive Deficits11 minutes
Social Cognition5 minutes
Cognition, Social Cognition, and Functioning9 minutes
Psychological Mechanisms of Delusions and Hallucinations4 minutes
Psychological Theories13 minutes

In the fifth module we discuss approaches to treatment with a focus on both pharmacologic and psychosocial approaches.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(807 ratings)

Matt Kurtz

Wesleyan University

1 Course96,923 learners

Offered by

Wesleyan University

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Showing 3 of 2479

Reviewed on Mar 30, 2020

I loved this course! I'm only 16,but i hope to have a future working with mental illness in children ^^ This course improved my knowledge on Schizophrenia so much more,thank you.

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2022

I'm a Mental Health professional whom found this Course on Schizophrenia to be amazing! It was a perfect blend of neuroscience, presentation and theory. Thank you Coursera and of course Dr. Kurtz!

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2021

Just spiffy and super cool to learn a complex disease. Everything was outstanding and super comprehensive. Love to know as my interest has grown after attending the lecture and and sharing.

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Frequently asked questions

No. This course engages with the scientific research literature and the history of our understanding of the psychiatric disorder labelled schizophrenia. Instead we suggest that you contact your local mental health agency, or if you are in the US your state association for psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses or social workers. They can often provide you with a list of resources, sometimes at no cost, for receiving the help that you need. For more urgent needs you should contact a local crisis hotline, visit an emergency room, or in the US dial 911 and ask for assistance. Course postings are not monitored for reported psychiatric symptoms in course learners and are not to be used to report such symptoms.

No, the verified certificate means that you have successfully completed this course by achieving the course learning objectives. Expertise in treating the disorder is derived through completion of accredited medical, nursing, psychologist or social work training programs with a focus on diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.

The subject matter of the course will expose you to how psychotic symptoms, sometimes severe, may be expressed in individuals. Observing these symptoms (enacted by acting students) may be disturbing.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.