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As many of us know all too well, time management is deceptively difficult to master. Ostensibly, it seems it should be pretty easy — but, as we realize when we find ourselves deep in the midst of a project, maintaining a high level of efficiency and sticking to a precise schedule can be tricky.
The importance of time management for students cannot be overstated, but for online learners trying to balance school, work, family, and personal obligations, the task is often a daunting one. To help make it simpler and more attainable, so that scholars can work more productively, let’s examine various time management tips, strategies, best practices, and tools that can quickly be adopted as good habits.
Prepare for Success
Set up a dedicated study space
Learning from home on your own schedule allows for great flexibility, but it comes with the challenge of finding an optimal workspace. The comfort of your sofa makes it an attractive option, but it’s also strongly associated with leisure and television-viewing in your mind, which can make it difficult to get work done in that spot.
Having a designated quiet study space is an essential part of all successful online learning strategies. It gives you a clear separation between your school and personal lives, reducing distractions and allowing you to maintain a productive mindset. Even if you live in a studio or one-bedroom apartment and have to create a makeshift study area with a portable divider and a foldable desk, it will help you concentrate better.
Particularly in situations like that, a pair of headphones can go a long way — especially if they have noise-canceling capability. Wherever you learn, make sure you have a reliable internet connection, so you won’t have to deal with many interruptions or a lot of lag when working on your computer.
Routinely practice self-care
Fatigue, illness, and negative feelings such as stress and worry can all lead to procrastination. Even when you’re not putting off your schoolwork, these factors make it difficult for you to concentrate and be productive, significantly increasing the amount of time it takes to complete assignments. Considering the great importance of time management for students, it’s crucial to take care of yourself by eating nutritious meals, exercising on a regular basis, and getting enough sleep, which will improve your focus, energy level, and mood.
Meditation is another practice that makes time management easier by refreshing you mentally and physically, allowing you to stay calm, increasing your awareness, and expanding your capacity to resist distractions. It reduces stress and anxiety, so that your mind is less preoccupied with worries and better able to devote its resources to focusing on the task at hand.
By making you more aware of your thoughts and behaviors, meditation allows you to make fewer mistakes, which means you save the time that would ordinarily be spent correcting those errors. It also enhances willpower and boosts energy levels, increasing your ability to stay motivated and committed to your goals, even when the days are long and distracting or difficult thoughts and stimuli are present.
Perhaps most importantly, meditation helps you be more mindful in the present moment, rather than losing time as your thoughts vacillate between the past and future. The practice trains you to completely focus on whatever you are doing at each point in time, even if it’s just a mundane task, so that you develop great skill in quieting your mind, observing yourself, and giving your full attention to each action in the moment.
Identify & Minimize Time-Wasting Activities & Distractions
Determining the behaviors, actions, and external factors that cause minutes and hours to be wasted, and then greatly reducing the time spent on those things, may be the most important of all time management tips.
Resist the pull of your phone
For many people, the source of the problem is their smartphones, which are almost always close by and provide instant access to endless distractions. If you’re tempted by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube, avoid getting sucked into time-consuming scrolling or video-watching sessions by turning off notifications and logging out of the apps on your phone.
Simply having to enter your password each time you want to access your social media feeds or watch “just one” video can be enough to make you stop for a second, reflecting on whether or not you should be spending time on that activity at the moment.
As a second layer of protection against time-wasting, you can make your passwords more complex and not commit them to memory; rather, write them down in a notebook somewhere, so that you have to get up and go find them before you can log in and view or post content. Unless you’re powerfully motivated to engage with social media or YouTube at that time, you’re unlikely to do that, which means you’ll successfully stay on task instead.
And remember that it’s not just the apps on your phone that can interrupt you and impair your concentration and productivity: receiving calls and texts can be just as disruptive. Consider setting up calls to go straight to voicemail and hiding alerts for text messages during your study sessions.
Turn off the TV
It’s well known that you shouldn’t indulge in televised entertainment while you’re supposed to be studying or working — but how about the news or an educational show? It’s easy to rationalize leaving the TV on in those cases: you tell yourself that it’s just there in the background; you’re just casually listening, and there’s a good chance you’ll learn something valuable.
But dividing your attention between coursework and TV is a recipe for wasted time and lost productivity. And while any TV program will increase your level of distraction, having the news on may actually harm your time management further, due to the amount of anxiety-inducing content to which you’ll be exposed. Keep the two activities separate: for example, watch TV as a reward during a scheduled rest period after an hour or two of hard work.
Avoid multitasking
Doing two or more tasks concurrently sounds great in theory, especially to busy online college students — after all, what could be more efficient than that, right? But in reality, the end result of this approach is usually that each task takes longer to complete and is not done as well.
As the American Psychological Association has reported, studies have found that multitasking, especially when done to a heavy degree, has a detrimental impact on productivity. Our brains were designed to concentrate on one activity at a time, and that’s how we typically do our best work.
Structure Your Study Time
Time block
One of the most successful online learning strategies for time management, time blocking involves segmenting your day into chunks, typically by the hour or half-hour, and dedicating each chunk to a work-related task or break. This technique works well because it is straightforward and flexible: should you need more time to complete a task, you can simply devote a second block to it and adjust your schedule for the rest of the day accordingly. It’s also an effective way to establish and maintain a study routine from day to day, which can be especially challenging for those who work from home.
To prevent boredom due to following the same schedule for many days, you can divide bigger, more time-consuming projects into smaller blocks and fit other tasks and short breaks in between them. Make sure that your breaks feature a healthy balance of rest and fun, which can sometimes be combined in the same activity, such as a leisurely nature walk.
Get work done before deadlines
Stay well ahead of deadlines as you’re studying or doing projects. This is especially important for partner or group assignments in which you have to work with multiple people to coordinate meetings and contributions. Often, you don’t know exactly how long the work is going to take, so don’t fall prey to procrastination and be forced to rush at the end.
Pretend that the deadline is a different date significantly earlier than the real one, and keep yourself on pace to complete the work by that day. Then, if the assignment takes longer than anticipated, you have given yourself a buffer and don’t need to stress or stay up all night to finish in time.
Pick the best time to study
Most students have higher levels of energy and motivation during specific times of the day or night. Perhaps you are most focused and inspired early in the morning after a cup of coffee or two; or maybe you find that you can get work done more effectively late in the evenings, once the other stressors and obligations of the day are behind you.
Whenever it is, find that window of greatest alertness and cognitive functioning, and try to get your most difficult tasks done during that time; save the easier assignments for those periods when you feel your mental acuity and energy waning.
Use Time Management Tools to Your Advantage
Get organized
There are myriad organizational tools available to help you with time management. 1Password provides a simple method of storing, managing, and using strong passwords, enabling you to log into websites and securely fill out forms with just one click.
With Evernote, you can keep your notes, to-do list, and schedule all in one convenient place. Additionally, create and assign tasks with deadlines, flags, and reminders to ensure everything gets done on time. The resource also gives you the ability to scan vital documents to eliminate clutter and find records and communications more quickly.
Another effective tool to keep you organized is RescueTime, which helps you find periods of time in between scheduled tasks and meetings when you can fully focus and get work done. Its recommendations are tailored based on your agenda and the daily focus goals you indicate. The program also keeps track of how much time you have left in the current task or meeting and offers insights and coaching to help you improve your time management skills.
Plan
A creative resource for visual brainstorming, MindNode assists you in capturing your thoughts, organizing them, and transforming them into a clear mind map. You can utilize various themes and styles to match your preferences and easily keep related thoughts and details connected. MindNode also lets you keep track of your progress on various tasks.
Pocket ensures you can stay focused on the assignment at hand without missing out on the other things you come across along the way. This tool allows you to save and curate articles, videos, and stories from any publication, webpage, or app for later consumption whenever you have the time. Content is accessible both online and offline on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
With ZenDay, you have access to a calendar and to-do list featuring a three-dimensional timeline, instead of the traditional vertical list format. Tasks “float” within the interface, and ZenDay conveniently and automatically reschedules them into open time slots in your agenda. The program also uses a color-coded system and changes the hues of tasks that are nearly due or overdue, so you can easily keep track of your priorities and act on them.
Be productive
Try brain.fm for a unique approach to getting in the zone. This resource uses science to create music that affects your brain in ways that support greater productivity. It utilizes technology to promote strong neural phase-locking for more focused, coordinated cognition, while removing the distractions in the sound.
If you’re often drawn by the siren call of websites unrelated to your work, Cold Turkey may be a good solution. It gives you the ability to block everything from particular sites and applications to virtually the whole internet. Once put in place, its blockades are next to impossible to remove until the designated time period is over.
Are you a fan of the pomodoro technique? This is the practice of studying in fairly short bursts of 25-30 minutes, using a buzzer or alarm to alert you to the end of each session and then taking a short break of two to three minutes before starting the next one. Once you’ve completed four cycles, you take a longer break to refresh yourself further. The rationale is that the sessions are long enough to let you get some work done but not so long that they feel tiring, overwhelming, or unpleasant. If this sounds appealing, try focus booster, which puts the technique to digital use, offering insightful time tracking and helping you stay laser-focused to work efficiently for 25-minute stretches. View your progress and rhythm on the dashboard to help you improve over time.
Schedule
With Any.do, you can organize your tasks, lists, and reminders in one intuitive app that will sync this content across your devices. With its flexible calendar and smart reminders, including location-based notifications, you can reliably keep track of all work and personal events and obligations in the same space. Additionally, the app integrates seamlessly with other calendars, such as Google, iCloud, and Outlook.
Take time-tracking to the next level with Toggl, a tool that offers a multitude of ways to achieve that goal. One-click timers work across laptop, desktop, and mobile platforms, with automatic syncing. Background tracking uses a timeline to track time spent on every application you engage with for more than 10 seconds. Calendar integrations let you assimilate your other calendars, e.g., Google or Outlook, into the Toggl app and start tracking time for events scheduled on those. The resource also gives you insightful, customizable reports.
For partner or team assignments, Avaza is a great way to collaborate on, manage, and discuss projects. The tool allows you to quickly switch from Kanban to Gantt to List views; visualize, filter, and group tasks in one or multiple projects; and complete budgeting and billing flexibly. Avaza also makes it easy to manage the resources dedicated to each project and offers drag-and-drop scheduling and editing of tasks.
Take Control of Your Future
Now that you understand more about successful online learning strategies and the importance of time management for students, are you ready to use these tips, techniques, and tools to further your education and advance your career?
Explore Concordia University St. Paul’s online programs here and discover the opportunities that await you. With associate, bachelor, and master degree programs, as well as certificates, CSP offers something for every learner, wherever they may be on their educational path.
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For busy people trying to juggle work and family obligations, the thought of getting a college education may feel overwhelming or even unattainable. But more and more students are finding peace of mind in the knowledge that this problem has a viable solution: online learning.
“Online education isn’t only for folks who are super well-versed in technology or got straight As when they were in previous programs; it’s not even just for those who have prior experience with college,” says Corey Long, Associate Director of Retention, who works with the advising team at Concordia University, St. Paul and has served in the higher education field for the past seven years. “We can definitely work with and support any student.”
Long’s considerable experience in the online learning space has given her a lot of insight into how to be successful as an online student. Below, we share some of this wisdom, covering the strategies, techniques, tips, and traits that can aid prospective college learners in their goal to not only survive online classes, but to excel in them.
What Are the Keys to Online Success?
Being Proficient in Basic Computer Skills
While one need not be an IT wiz to thrive in online schooling, it does help to have some experience and familiarity with technology. Long explains that it’s not necessary to know the ins and outs of a specific learning management system (LMS), but it’s useful to know the basics of using a computer and internet-based programs and tools, as well as to be able to follow directions well.
Using Resources and Asking for Help
Another part of knowing how to be successful as an online student is actively using available resources, including tech support, advisors, and instructors. “Online learning can feel really isolating sometimes,” Long notes. “We often see that the learners who need the most assistance aren’t asking for it, even though it’s available. It’s crucial not to get lost in the abyss, so to speak, and instead, reach out and ask for help. There are all kinds of resources here for students.”
If scholars don’t understand an assignment, they should tell their professors and ask for clarity. If they need more intensive help, tutoring is accessible. Perhaps they’re unsure of a policy — they ought to ask their advisor for an explanation.
In all of these cases, in addition to allowing students to get the support they need, the interaction with other people will allow them to feel a greater sense of community and know that they’re not alone on their journey.
Forming Study Groups
If online learners want to find study buddies, they’d be wise to reach out to their peers in their classes and schedule some time to work together. “I’ve even heard of students who live in the same city meeting in person to study once a week,” Long reports. “The fact that it’s online school doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for students to physically gather, especially if they live in or near the city where their college’s campus is located. And, as we know from our research, that tends to be the case.”
Like interacting with instructors, tutors, and advisors — but typically, to an even greater degree — being part of a study group lets students feel that they belong to a community. When they can meet their fellow learners in person, even just occasionally, that feeling grows stronger.
Having a Good Support System
“School is going to take up a lot of time for a student,” Long says. “One class can be anywhere from 10 – 20 hours a week, so you’ve gotta have folks that can give you the space and time you need. If you’ve got a big family, have them give you a couple hours a day for you to do school work. Friends can help support you as well, if you need to talk through a tricky assignment or you need someone to bring you food during the week.”
All of that can make a big difference in a college student’s studies. Everyone needs support from time to time; humbly recognizing that and then putting said support to productive use is among the most successful online learning strategies one can employ.
Preparing Effectively for Classes
The importance of physical and mental readiness cannot be overstated in an examination of how to be successful as an online student. “Making sure to do prep work before classes start can help a lot,” Long adds. “Getting all textbooks ordered a minimum of two weeks before classes start, or earlier if possible, is best. Students should also make sure to register for courses as soon as possible, so they’re not stuck scrambling to sign up. And then, a week before classes start, it’s a good idea to log in, take a look at the syllabus, and get a sense of what each class is going to look like.”
Long also strongly recommends that students talk with a financial aid planner well ahead of time to ensure they have all of their billing pieces set up. By taking care of all of these things in advance, students won’t have to rush to do them when the term starts; instead, they’ll just be able to focus on their classes.
Being Self-Motivated
Discipline, drive, and the willingness to hold oneself accountable are standout characteristics of a person who understands how to be successful as an online student. “Folks who are pretty self-motivated and don’t necessarily need to be told what to do all the time are well-suited to online learning,” Long states. “It’s pretty self-paced and asynchronous most of the time. So, being able to take a syllabus, build your own study schedule, set intermediary goals, and work towards completing assignments can really help you avoid the problem of getting to the last minute and still having a lot left to do.”
When it comes to successful online learning strategies, there’s arguably nothing more crucial than staying inspired by remembering the reasons why one is working hard to complete an online learning program. It may be to earn a big promotion at the office, land a better job at a different company, transition to a new career altogether, or show one’s children how to follow through and persevere in the pursuit of their goals and dreams.
Getting an education is a big investment of time and effort, so being able to mentally return to that “why” will help significantly. “That’s what we on the advising team like to do in our first conversations with students,” Long says. “We dig into why they’re going back to school, so that, when times get tough and they’re buried in tests and assignments, we can remind them.”
Developing a Growth-Oriented Mindset
Online education is a process, and it takes time to become at ease with it. So, having the right mentality regarding that is another one of the most successful online learning strategies. “Students need to be okay with being a little uncomfortable at the beginning, knowing that learning is a skill and that it takes a little time to flex those mental muscles and get used to the routine. So, understanding that a greater level of comfort will come and just being willing to stick with their studies are keys to success.”
Especially if people haven’t been in school for 10 or 15 years, which is often the case with online learners, nervousness is quite common in the beginning. But as long as they are open to taking advice, adapting as they learn, and sometimes adjusting their expectations, they will benefit greatly from the growth they experience in the educational process.
Planning and Managing Time Well
One of the most important parts of how to be successful as an online student is knowing how much time one has available to devote to one’s studies — and how to efficiently divide up and manage that time.
“It’s helpful for students to have a good understanding of what they will have going on in their lives for the two to three years in their programs,” Long explains. “It’s hard to plan that far out. But having a sense of how busy they’re going to be and how long it’s going to take to get all their schoolwork done is good; that will allow them to strike that balance between taking a full course load all at once or doing it a little more slowly and spacing it out.
And that’s part of the beauty of online learning: students can sometimes have that flexibility. Maybe when they start out, they have the time to do two courses at once; then life happens, and they can adjust their schedules to decrease the number of classes, take a break, or do whatever they need to in order to fit what they have going on outside of school.”
In some online education programs, the curriculum is set, and students follow it and take all the same classes in order as part of a cohort. However, there are other programs that afford learners more freedom of choice in terms of which courses they take at which time. In these cases, one of the other successful online learning strategies is planning one’s schedule in the proper way to end up with the right mix of general education and major requirements each semester. That way, students ensure that they are keeping track of and meeting all of the criteria for their programs, while keeping their workload manageable.
Experimenting With Various Techniques
“Different study methods are going to work well for different students,” Long states. “One person might do really well taking lots of handwritten notes and re-watching full lectures, while another might do better just listening and reading in spurts of 10 minutes here and there as they’re absorbing information.”
She recommends that learners try out a few things and see what works best for them personally. And if they’re struggling, they should talk to their instructors and explain that they have experimented with those techniques or strategies, but they’re still not grasping the material. Then, their teachers can either assist them in using those methods more effectively or suggest alternate methods that may be more conducive to their understanding, based on the teachers’ experience in seeing what has worked for other students in the past.
Studying in a Dedicated Space
No discussion of successful online learning strategies would be complete without a mention of the benefit of creating a space designated specifically for studying. “Even if it’s just a corner in a room where a student has their desk, books, and notes, it really helps to have that space to get in the zone,” says Long. “It makes sure that their brain is in schoolwork mode whenever they are in that spot.”
Having headphones, especially if they’re noise-canceling, is a great way to drown out distractions and stay focused. For students who live in studios or one-bedroom apartments, it might be best to set up a portable standing divider to keep their eyes from straying towards the television or other visual distractions during study time.
Celebrating Small Victories
“Earning a college degree requires spending a big chunk of time concentrated on that work,” Long remarks. “If a student is just focused on graduation as their goal, that’s going to feel really far away, so it’s important to celebrate the little wins along the way, too.” The first paper, first test, and first course finished are all great little milestones to recognize. Doing so will enable learners to feel a continual sense of pride in their achievements throughout the duration of their studies, which will help motivate them during challenging times.
Taking Care of Oneself
In her own college experience, after a couple of years, Long learned that it was really important to schedule non-school time as well. “Even if it was just two hours to sit and read a book for fun, or veg out and watch Netflix, giving myself those little self-care breaks was critical.” She advises that all online students do the same to avoid getting burnt out from hard work and stress.
Long also instituted a rule for herself that every learner can probably get behind: “I had a strict ‘no-homework Friday’ policy. So, the rest of the week was a lot more school, and after I finished classes on Friday, that was my evening to do whatever I wanted.” It also extends the weekends, which is never a bad thing.
Ready to Succeed as an Online College Student?
If you’re prepared to take the next step, explore Concordia University, St. Paul’s online programs. With associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as certificates available in various fields, CSP has an option to suit you, wherever you are in your journey.
For more information on how to be a successful online student, explore our related Online Learning Guide.
About Corey Long
Corey Long manages the online academic advising team at Concordia University, St. Paul. She graduated with degrees in history and political science from the University of Louisville and has worked in higher education for over seven years. Prior to entering this field, Corey worked in the nonprofit realm, focusing on the areas of youth development and immigrant and refugee education.
Through direct work with students at all levels, she has gained a strong understanding of academic advising, student interaction, and engagement, and the role education can play in improving lives. Her passion for continuous learning and development stands at the forefront of her day-to-day work with students.
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A Degree for the Human Services Pro Seeking to Study the Criminal Mind
AIAFS Partnership Program
Evidence-Based, Non-Clinical Assessments
Industry-Experienced Faculty
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this program.
- Duration 2 years
- Cost per Credit $475
- Credit Hours 36
Program Benefits
- 12 courses focused on human services and FBH
- Understand clients better with behavioral health knowledge
- Study a career-connected curriculum
- Receive a Christian, liberal arts education
- Balance work and school by earning your graduate degree online
- Now accepting applications – no app fee
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In CSP Global’s Master of Arts in Human Services – Forensic Behavioral Health program, you’ll study a career-connected curriculum to gain a deeper understanding of forensic disciplines and criminal justice issues. Complete your forensic mental health degree online with flexible coursework taught by industry-experienced faculty and learn proven intervention strategies to create solutions for clients. Gain the skills needed to become a courtroom advocate through this American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS)-approved program.
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The forensic behavioral health emphasis requires 36 credit hours of coursework. You’ll explore a career-connected curriculum to learn best practices regarding research methods in human services, psychopathology, ethical and legal considerations, substance use and co-occurring disorders, sexual offending, risk assessment, and more.
Course Spotlight: HSV 590 Forensic Behavioral Health Law for the Human Service Professional
This course will examine the relationship between behavioral health and the legal system and discuss the various roles that human service professionals can play in the forensic behavioral health law arena. Topics include competency, expert witness testimony, courtroom testimony protocols, and the insanity defense. Case studies and scenarios will be used to enhance the student’s understanding of the law as it relates to the mentally ill. Issues involving mentally ill offenders and developmentally impaired persons who commit crimes be addressed. The stages of a criminal case and exploration of therapeutic courts (i.e., drug, DUI, and mental health) will be included.
Explore CoursesCourse Spotlight: HSV 566 Risk Assessment in Human Services
This course introduces students to different types of risk assessments (e.g., actuarial and structured professional judgment) used with adolescents and adults in the human services arena. Topics will include an in-depth exploration of risk approximation as it relates to self-harm, future violence, familial violence, sexual predation, and trauma exposure. Students will become familiar with the intended use, potential for misuse, and limitations accompanying varied risk assessment tools and methods across different settings. Students will explore the theoretical and research findings that guide the development, selection, and implementation of risk assessment procedures that are relevant to the specific referral question and case. Students will be equipped to select, rate, and utilize information gathered from risk assessment instruments in the field of human services.
More Options for Your Degree
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you interested in one of CSP Global’s programs? Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about time to completion, accreditation, tuition and fees, admissions, and more. If applicable, you can also learn more about licensure, concentrations, or specializations offered in the program. Get more information about any online program or contact an enrollment counselor at (855) 641-2525 with further questions.
Yes, this degree program follows a cohort model. You will move through the program with the same group of students.
There are 12 required courses in the program. Learn more about the coursework required.
The master’s program has three start dates throughout the year, in January, May, and September.
The program costs $475 per credit hour.
At this time, our online program is offered only as a full-time program.
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Low-Cost Tuition Initiatives
Career-Connected Curriculum
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this program.
- Duration 1 year
- Cost per Credit $475
- Credit Hours 15
Program Benefits
- Five courses focused on trauma, self-care and resiliency strategies
- Learn from industry-experienced faculty members
- Receive a Christian, liberal arts education
- Earn your grad certificate online while working
- Competitive tuition rates with convenient payment plans
- Now accepting applications – no app fee
Get the Latest Trauma Graduate Certificate
Trauma, resiliency, and self-care are trending topics of research in today’s complex behavioral health arena. In this flexible online graduate certificate program, you will develop a deeper understanding of how to assist trauma-affected individuals with effective strategies. CSP Global’s career-connected, POST-approved coursework will empower you to make a lasting impact by applying knowledge learned from industry-experienced faculty members.
Curriculum
The Graduate Certificate in Trauma, Resilience, and Self-Care Strategies consists of 15 credit hours. Our career-connected curriculum features courses that explore trauma and stressor-related disorders, the impact of trauma on the developing brain, and the behavioral health aspects of trauma. Each class is taught by two professors from different human services fields to ensure a unique, multidisciplinary perspective.
CurriculumProgram Outcomes
- Foster self-care, body-based mindfulness in patients experiencing trauma.
- Understand prenatal and child development issues and strategies.
- Use trauma-informed care practices in the field when working with those impacted by trauma.
- Teach relevant sleep improvement and stress management practices.
- Be prepared with crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies.
Admissions Requirements
To apply for the Graduate Certificate in Trauma, Resilience, and Self-Care Strategies program from Concordia University, St. Paul, you’ll need:
- A completed online application.
- To submit official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution stating the conferral of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 system.
- A personal statement.
Tuition Details
The online Certificate in Trauma, Resilience, and Self-Care Strategies costs $475 per credit hour, making your total tuition $7,125. Convenient payment options and $2,000 partnership scholarships are available to help you pay for your education.
Faculty
At CSP Global, you’ll have support from industry-experienced faculty who will offer guidance and answer your questions as you earn your human services certificate online. It’s yet another way the online format mimics the experience of studying on campus.
With over 25 years of experience and more than 40 online programs, CSP Global is a pioneer in online education. As part of our diverse online community, you’ll receive a liberal arts education guided by Lutheran principles. The career-connected curricula, flexible learning options, and alumni connections available at CSP Global mean you’ll graduate ready for success. We are committed to delivering online programs with the same quality as our on-campus learning.
Online ExperienceCSP Global is committed to initiatives that keep college affordable. In addition to financing your education with federal student aid and private loans, you will be eligible for a tuition discount offered to online students (this limits eligibility for institutional scholarships). Transfer students could receive $2,000 or more through transfer partnerships and transfer student awards. CSP Global is also a Military Friendly® institution. An enrollment counselor can help you apply for financial aid.
Tuition & AidFrequently Asked Questions
Are you interested in one of CSP Global’s programs? Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about time to completion, accreditation, tuition and fees, admissions, and more. If applicable, you can also learn more about licensure, concentrations, or specializations offered in the program. Get more information about any online program or contact an enrollment counselor at (855) 641-2525 with further questions.
Yes, the program is HLC accredited.
We require a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Learn more about admissions requirements.
The certificate will prepare you with the training necessary to work with individuals and groups experiencing trauma or impacted by toxic stress exposure. The skills you learn will allow you to bridge the gap between the impact of trauma and other aspects of a client’s interpersonal and social functioning.
No. Your coursework can be completed 100% online.
At this time, our online program is offered only as a full-time program.
The total cost of the program is $7,125, not including fees and other expenses.
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Positively Impact Those in Need With a Master’s in Human Services
- Employment in community and social service occupations is expected to increase 12% between 2019 and 2029.1
- This growth will result in 348,600 new jobs created by 2029 in various specialties and fields.1
At Concordia University, St. Paul, you can develop insights and strategies to work more effectively with individuals, families, the legal system, and more. Graduates apply their skills to multiple fields in human services, criminal justice, forensic behavioral health, and family science.
Arbitrator, mediator, or conciliator
$98,920/year
Help facilitate negotiation and dialogue between disputing parties. You’ll work to resolve conflicts outside of the court system.2
DETECTIVE OR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR
$91,610/year
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of the law. You’ll help prevent and solve federal, state, or local crimes.3
Additional Master of Arts in Human Services careers include the following:
- Child welfare and protection worker
- Children’s therapeutic support service worker
- Correctional caseworker
- Correctional treatment specialist
- Crisis intervention specialist
- Detoxification specialist
- Domestic violence counselor
- Geriatric care manager
- Group home manager
- Juvenile justice specialist
- Probation officer
- Psychiatric rehabilitation specialist
Request More Information
By filling out the form, you’ll:
- Gain access to a dedicated enrollment counselor who is ready to answer all of your questions.
- Take one more step towards achieving your career goals.
Fill out the form to receive more information!
Program Outcomes: In-Demand Skills That Change Lives
When you complete this program, you will be able to:
- Foster self-care, body-based mindfulness in patients experiencing trauma.
- Understand prenatal and child development issues and strategies.
- Teach relevant sleep improvement and stress management practices.
- Be prepared with crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies.
- Show enhanced communication skills, problem-solving strategies, and advocacy skills.
- Build ethical and legal practices that human service professionals need to follow.
We’re Committed to Your Success
In the 2021 SkillSurvey Career Readiness® rankings, CSP Global was ranked in the Top 10 “Career Ready” Institutions and Top 10 “Career Ready” Feedback for First-Generation College Students. The SkillSurvey rankings reflect over 170 partner institutions whose students received evaluator ratings following an internship, co-op, or other work-related experience.
Support Beyond Your Graduation Date
In addition to the high-quality education you’ll receive at CSP Global, you’ll benefit from a wide range of support during your time as a student that will extend throughout your professional journey as an alumnus. That’s part of how 94.5% of CSP Global graduates receive job offers within one year of graduation.
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A Future in Health Services and Criminal Justice
- Employment in community and social service occupations is projected to increase 12% by 2029.1
- The median annual wage for community and social service occupations is $39,810/year.
A certificate in forensic behavioral health allows you to pursue jobs at the intersection of criminal justice and human services. You’ll develop industry knowledge to help children, adolescents, and adults receive the support they need to overcome various challenges. Ultimately, you’ll be an asset to others in one of many possible environments.
Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist
$54,290/year
Help rehabilitate law offenders. In one of these roles, you’ll interview offenders and their friends and relatives to evaluate progress, provide drug testing and counseling, and help offenders with job training and other needs.2
Juvenile Justice Specialist
$43,255/year
Guide youth as they navigate the legal system. You’ll offer basic counseling and support, create treatment plans, and help them get ready for court dates.3
Other positions you could qualify for with your forensic behavioral health certificate:
- Child welfare and protection worker
- Children’s therapeutic support service worker
- Correctional caseworker
- Crisis intervention specialist
- Detoxification specialist
- Psychiatric rehabilitation specialist
Request More Information
By filling out the form, you’ll:
- Gain access to a dedicated enrollment counselor who is ready to answer all of your questions.
- Take one more step towards achieving your career goals.
Fill out the form to receive more information!
Program Outcomes: A Strong Foundation In Human Services and Criminal Justice
In the forensic behavioral health certificate program, you’ll:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical overview and role of human service professionals delivering services across diverse settings.
- Understand interventions and evidence-based assessment, prevention techniques, and common community-based resources.
- Use enhanced communication skills, problem-solving strategies, advocacy, and credible courtroom testimony skills, as well as ethical and legal practices that human service professionals need to follow when working within the forensic behavioral health system.
We’re Committed to Your Success
In the 2021 SkillSurvey Career Readiness® rankings, CSP Global was ranked in the Top 10 “Career Ready” Institutions and Top 10 “Career Ready” Feedback for First-Generation College Students. The SkillSurvey rankings reflect over 170 partner institutions whose students received evaluator ratings following an internship, co-op, or other work-related experience.
Support Beyond Your Graduation Date
In addition to the high-quality education you’ll receive at CSP Global, you’ll benefit from a wide range of support during your time as a student that will extend throughout your professional journey as an alumnus. That’s part of how 94.5% of CSP Global graduates receive job offers within one year of graduation.
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Scripted horror reigns on TV. From “American Horror Story” to “The Walking Dead,” vampires, zombies, and ghosts are now more prevalent on American screens. And people are tuning in: With 17.3 million viewers, the season five premiere of “The Walking Dead” was the highest-rated show in cable television history.
It is not just TV, as a slate of horror movies are released throughout the year. Given the low production costs of horror and suspense entertainment, it is no mystery why studios produce so much horror-based content. But it’s harder to explain why people are so captivated by this genre. What is the psychology of fear, and why are people drawn to thrill-seeking entertainment?
Why Horror?
The enjoyment that some people get from fear is likely not from fear itself. Instead, thrills stem from “the physical and emotional release that follows scary situations,” according to Seeker, a division of Discovery. For some horror fans, the desire to feel fear is a manifestation of an adrenaline-seeking personality. Fear is a “negative emotion that comes about when people are under siege or threat,” professor Glenn Sparks told Seeker. Yet people enjoy other aspects of the experience.
Psychologist Glenn D. Walters identified three primary factors that feed the attraction to horror entertainment. The first is tension, which producers and directors create by including elements of mystery, suspense, gore, terror, and shock. The next factor is relevance. Horror films draw from this factor by establishing elements that viewers will identify with. This often means universal relevance, which plays on the psychology of fear of death and the unknown, or cultural relevance of social issues. Walters says that viewers also experience personal relevance, as they identify with the protagonist or condemn the antagonist.
The last factor Walters identifies is unrealism. Although horror entertainment has become more graphic in recent years, viewers realize that what they are watching is fake. Movies and TV shows use certain camera angles, soundtracks, and even humor to send cues that remind viewers that what they are watching is intended to entertain. When horror films and TV shows use these factors in the right ways, they can play on the psychology of fear in ways that appeal to viewers.
Biological Reactions to Fear
For viewers to enjoy watching horror movies, they must also be aware that they are in a safe environment. Horror entertainment can trigger the fight-or-flight response, which comes with a boost in adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine. The brain can then process surroundings and conclude that the experience is not a genuine threat.
This knowledge of personal safety is one reason horror fans habitually watch scary movies. As sociologist Margee Kerr told The Atlantic, it is partially due to a phenomenon known as excitation transfer. After an accelerated heart rate, heavy breathing, and other physical reactions to fear wear off, viewers experience intense relief. Positive feelings intensify and, in short, “fear floods our brains with feel-good chemicals,” according to The Huffington Post.
For some viewers, physical reactions like this are enjoyable. About 10 percent of the population deeply enjoys the adrenaline rush associated with the horror genre, as Glenn Sparks, a professor at Purdue University, told Psych Central. But other people find horror movies and TV shows upsetting. Sparks says these viewers “have a harder time screening out unwanted stimuli in their environment.” As a result, they can have negative psychological reactions to horror.
In the brain, fear causes a chain reaction that begins with stressful stimuli and ends with the fight-or-flight response discussed above. This response is mostly autonomic, meaning that people do not consciously know it is happening. Because the brain is highly complex and transfers information continuously, many cognitive processes are involved in the psychology of fear. However, Smithsonian identifies some of the key players:
- The thalamus determines where incoming sensory data should be sent in the body.
- The sensory cortex interprets this sensory data.
- The hippocampus can store and retrieve memories and process stimuli to give context.
- The amygdala determines possible threats and “decodes emotions” while storing fear memories.
- The hypothalamus activates the fight-or-flight response.
These biological components work together to identify fear and respond to it. But there are also psychological elements that drive people to seek out horror entertainment.
Elements That Influence the Psychology of Fear
Psychologists and scientists have long been interested in why people pursue and enjoy fear. There have been many studies and suggested hypotheses for why people respond the way they do to horror. For example, Cynthia A. Hoffner and Kenneth J. Levine published a meta-analysis of 35 journal articles in media psychology concerning “the relationship between viewer enjoyment and frightening movies,” according to Pacific Standard. They found prevailing theories that explain why movies like Paranormal Activity perform well in box offices around the globe, including:
- Excitation transfer: This theory states that people who experience an emotional response to horror also experience more enjoyment when threats are resolved.
- Individual empathy: People who are less empathetic enjoy horror films more, according to Professor Ron Tamborini. He suggests that “viewers with high levels of empathy should dislike horror films because they react negatively to the suffering of others.”
- Sensation-seeking: People who watch horror movies may want to stimulate sensory reactions. Studies indicate these viewers may be more aggressive than other people.
Understanding the Psychology of Fear
The biological processes behind the psychology of fear are complex and varied. However, the cultural interest in horror entertainment seems to have a foundation in who human beings are as a species, as well as individual interests and traits.
If you are interested in relevant topics in psychology like the ones covered here, consider CSP Global’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program. This program equips students with the knowledge and tools necessary to excel in the field of psychology. Take part in a flexible, accelerated learning experience with courses that you can complete in seven weeks.
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America’s mainstream culture evolves to reflect the predominant values of the day, including social systems such as the family. Instead of being one unit, the family institution has been in a constant state of evolution, according to California Cryobank. Today, there really is no consistent definition of the American family. With single-parent households, varying family structures, and fewer children, the modern family defies categorization. But these most recent changes have brought with them a nostalgia-based myth: that divorce, domestic violence, and single parenthood are recent phenomena. When the history of the American family was surveyed in-depth by Insider, it became apparent that this is not the case. Constant change and adaptation are the only themes that remain consistent for families throughout America’s history. In fact, recent changes in family life are only the latest in a series of transformations in family roles, functions, and dynamics that have occurred over time.
A Brief History of the Pre-20th Century Family
When America was founded, a family was defined as a husband, wife, biological children and extended family (unfortunately, slaves were not considered part of any family). This meant that most people who could legally marry did, and then stayed married until death. According to Insider, in the 19th and early 20th centuries people often married to gain property rights or to move social class. All of that changed in the 1800s, with the ideas of love and romance becoming the main reason to wed. Divorce was rare; History Collection reports that, “the process of getting a divorce was very expensive, and a judge would never allow it, unless it was the last resort .. If two people were unhappy in a marriage, they sometimes decided to quietly separate in a mature, responsible way, but they were legally still married, and could never remarry someone else, unless their first husband or wife died.” Because this structure was so dominant, it played a crucial role in the creation and replication of cultural roles for men and women. The role of wives was to assist their husbands within the home, both keeping house and raising children.
Wives had no legal identity under a condition called coverture; ThoughtCo explains that “legally, upon marriage, the husband and wife were treated as one entity. In essence, the wife’s separate legal existence disappeared as far as property rights and certain other rights were concerned.” Husbands, in contrast, were managers and providers in the family. They controlled finances and had ultimate authority in the eyes of both society and the law. This meant that “a husband could not grant to his wife anything such as property, and could not make legal agreements with her after marriage because it would be like gifting something to one’s self or making a contract with one’s self.”
It was generally against the law to live together or have children outside of marriage. However, by the 19th century, coverture was less of an issue and these rigid legal boundaries were relaxed, with common-law marriage widely recognized as an acceptable union.
Government and the Family
The 19th century brought about a number of important changes to the family, according to Shirley A. Hill’s Families: A Social Class Perspective. In the first half of the century, married women began to have property rights through the Married Women’s Property Acts, which began to be enacted in 1839. By the early 20th century, most states permitted married women to “own property, sue and be sued, enter into contracts and control the disposition of property upon her death.” However, during this time a woman’s role in the family was still defined by her husband.
Another important development was government regulation of some aspects of childhood, such as child labor and schooling. To improve the well-being of children, “reformers pressed for compulsory school attendance laws, child labor restrictions, playgrounds … and widow’s pensions to permit poor children to remain with their mothers.” Despite these legal changes, the family became an even more important source of happiness and satisfaction. The “companionate family was envisioned as a more isolated, and more important unit — the primary focus of emotional life.” New ideas about marriage emerged, based on choice, companionship, and romantic love. This in turn caused a surge in the divorce rate, which tripled between 1860 and 1910.
Depression and War
The stability of families was tested by the Great Depression, as unemployment and lower wages forced Americans to delay marriage and having children. The divorce rate fell during this time because it was expensive and few could afford it. However, by 1940 almost 2 million married couples lived apart. Some families adjusted to the economic downturn by “returning to a cooperative family economy. Many children took part-time jobs and many wives supplemented the family income.”
When the Depression ended and World War II began, families coped with new issues: a shortage of housing, lack of schools and prolonged separation. Women ran households and raised children alone, and some went to work in war industries. The results of the war-stricken state of society were that “thousands of young people became latchkey children and rates of juvenile delinquency, unwed pregnancy, and truancy all rose.”
Family Structures in the Postwar World
In reaction to the tumult both at home and abroad during the 1940s, the 1950s marked a swift shift to a new type of domesticity. Insider reports that “the idea of the nuclear, All-American Family was created in the 1950s, and put an emphasis on the family unit and marriage.” This time period saw younger marriages, more kids, and fewer divorces. The average age for women to marry was 20, divorce rates stabilized, and the birth rate doubled. However, the perfect images of family life that appeared on television do not tell the whole story: “Only 60 percent of children spent their childhood in a male-breadwinner, female-homemaker household.”
This “democratization of family ideals” reflected a singular society and economy, one that was driven by a reaction against depression and war and compounded by rising incomes and lower prices. The economic boom that followed World War II led to significant economic growth, particularly in manufacturing and consumer goods; around 13 million new homes were built in the 1950s. Families moved to the suburbs because they could afford to, and the family became a “haven in a heartless world,” as well as “an alternative world of satisfaction and intimacy” for adults and children that had experienced the ravages of wartime. In fact, this is where the concept of close-knit families as we know it originates. Domestic containment as a way of life was reinforced by American youth, who wanted to have long-lasting and stronger relationships than their parents had. Soldiers and servicemen who returned from war were looking to get married and raise children.
The Idyllic ’50s
The standard structure of the family in postwar America consisted of a breadwinner male, his wife who did household chores and looked after the children, and the children themselves. Families ate meals and went on outings together, and lived in sociable neighborhoods. Parents paid close attention to disciplining their children and live-in relationships were unheard of — in fact, girls stayed in their parents’ home until marriage and did not commonly attend college. Children became emotional rather than economic assets for the first time, close with their parents and the center of the family. Because of this, parents studied child development and worked to socialize their children so that they would become successful adults. Childhood became a distinct period of life. However, young girls were supposed to be housewives instead of educated professionals.
All in all, family structure in the ’50s was based around one central necessity: a secure life. The economic and global instability of the early 20th century gave rise to the need for closely defined family units. This led to an ideology that lauded economic advancement and social order, the results of which were younger marriages that lasted longer, more children, fewer divorces, and more nuclear families.
The Modern Family Unit
The nuclear family of the ’50s epitomized the economically stable family unit. The idea of the middle-class, patriarchal, child-centered families were short-lived. This is why the modern family, in most cases, bears little resemblance to this “ideal” unit. Many of the changes that were part of this transition are a direct result of the expanding role of women in society, both in terms of the workplace and education. The rise of the post-industrial economy, based in information and services, led to more married women entering the workplace. As early as 1960, around a third of middle class women were working either part-time or full-time jobs. Since the ’60s, families have also become smaller, less stable, and more diverse. More adults, whether young or elderly, live outside of the family as well. Today, the male-breadwinner, female-housewife family represents only a small percentage of American households. A considerable majority of Americans (62 percent) view the idea of marriage as “one in which husband and wife both work and share child care and household duties.” Two-earner families are much more common as well. In 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women made up almost 50 percent of the paid labor force, putting them on equal footing with men when it comes to working outside the home. In addition, single-parent families headed by mothers, families formed through remarriage, and empty-nest families have all become part of the norm.
Along with these shifts have come declining marriage and birth rates and a rising divorce rate. The American birth rate is half of what it was in 1960, and hit its lowest point ever in 2012. In addition, the number of cohabiting couples increased from less than half a million in 1960 to 4.9 million in the 2000 census. According to the 2005 American Community Survey, more than 50 percent of households in America were headed by an unmarried person during that year. And by 2007, almost 40 percent of children were born to unmarried, adult mothers. One reason for these developments is that marriage has been repositioned as a “cornerstone to capstone, from a foundational act of early adulthood to a crowning event of later adulthood.” It is viewed as an event that should happen after finishing college and establishing a career.
Further Change in the Marital Family
A number of historical factors contributed to shifts in how Americans perceive and participate in family structure. According to the American Bar Association, in 1965, the Supreme Court extended constitutional protections for “various forms of reproductive freedom” through its ruling in Griswold v. Connecticut. There were also medical advances in contraception, including the invention of the birth control pill in 1960. As a result, the way children were brought into families became more varied than ever before. Divorce changed during the ’60s as well. In 1969, California became the first state to adopt no-fault divorce, permitting parties to end their marriage simply upon showing irreconcilable differences. Within 16 years, every other state had followed suit.
Included in these trends is the expansion of rights granted to same-sex couples. With the decline of barriers to lesbian and gay unions and the increase in legal protections, more LGBTQ populations are living openly. Gay marriage was legalized in 2015; However, for some legal purposes these relationships are still not treated like marriages. Still, in general, families are more racially, ethnically, religiously, and stylistically diverse. However, all of this change does not mean that the family is a dying institution. About 90 percent of Americans still marry and have children, and those who divorce usually remarry.
The Role of Human Services
Many who are interested in family development and culture choose to pursue a career in human services. With an emphasis on current issues and skills for living successfully in today’s society, this applied science is constantly evolving, much like the family units that are its area of study. It is a discipline including contributions from related academic areas such as law, sociology, psychology, anthropology, healthcare, and more. Because of this, professionals in the field practice in a variety of contexts, including:
- Education
- Research
- Community outreach
- Human services
- Nutrition
The field of human services plays an important role in navigating the implications of today’s global society. Though the families of today have little in common with those in previous decades and centuries, social sciences professionals have a clear perspective on how to approach the complexities of a constantly evolving institution. And these skills will only become more valuable as families continue to evolve.
Human Service Degrees at CSP Global
CSP Global offers online human service degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The comprehensive education students receive through these programs allows them to become practitioners in this dynamic and interdisciplinary field.
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Psychology jobs exist within several disciplines, and they range from psychoanalysis to cultural neuroscience. It’s possible to separate the field into applied psychology and experimental psychology, the latter of which involves research that is then adapted to real-world topics and becomes applied psychology. Both fields cover dozens of disciplines like abnormal, cognitive, and social psychologies.
In addition to the basic disciplines, psychology jobs can exist in other fields like business and health and human services. They may not be grouped within any specific specialty, but these opportunities take advantage of industry knowledge and skills.
Some of these roles are ideal for graduates who are looking for immediate experience in the community; many will pursue a role like this while advancing their psychology education at the master’s or doctoral level.
6 Psychology Jobs to Consider
All salary information is based on data from PayScale at the time of publication.
Career Counselor
Career counselors help people develop skills, explore career options, and choose educational programs that lead to careers. By providing guidance, career counselors help people make important career decisions and achieve professional goals. A master’s degree is typically required. Career counselors earn an average annual salary of about $44,320.
Human Resources (HR) Specialist
HR specialists help organizations with employee relations, training and compensation, and benefits. Common tasks include recruiting, screening, interviewing, and placing workers. Typically, HR specialists must have a bachelor’s degree, and they earn an average salary of about $50,900.
Community Relations Specialist
Community relations specialists help build relationships between their employers and the communities where they work. They can work for a range of companies and fields. By developing and implementing community outreach programs and local events, these specialists can explore a range of outreach and public relations opportunities to obtain valuable relationships. A bachelor’s degree is typically required. Community relations specialists make an average salary of about $50,900.
Rehabilitation Specialist
Rehabilitation specialists help support people who have mental illnesses and disabilities. Some of their responsibilities include helping clients with personal grooming skills, communication, and recreational activities. Rehabilitation specialists often create plans for clients that help them adapt to daily living. A bachelor’s degree is a common requirement for this position. Rehabilitation specialists earn an average of about $39,500 annually.
Child and Youth Worker
Child and youth workers help kids get involved in activities that build teamwork, socialization, and problem-solving skills. Often employed by parks departments, community centers, and summer camps, they design activities and programs that focus on exercise, artistic expression, musical skills, and a number of other areas, including ministry. Other positions are more focused on mental health and rehabilitation. At a minimum, child and youth workers need a high school diploma, though many places prefer an associate or bachelor’s degree. Their average salary is about $36,200 per year.
Laboratory Assistants
Laboratory assistants are entry-level employees who are heavily involved in research. They can gain a lot of experience in experimental psychology, which can benefit them later as they continue in this career path. Requirements can range from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Typically, laboratory assistants work in government agency, university, and private sector laboratory settings. They make an average annual salary of $35,000.
Pursue Your Career Goals in Psychology
Develop a greater understanding of psychology concepts and applications with Concordia University, St. Paul’s online bachelor’s degree in psychology. Through this program, you can enjoy small class sizes and a personal learning environment that is geared toward your success, and learn from knowledgeable faculty who have industry experience.
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Mental health issues in the United States are very common, affecting millions of Americans. In fact, an estimated 50% of all Americans are diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in the lifetime. Mental illnesses like depression are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the United States among people ages 18 to 44.
Disorders such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are relatively well-understood. However, some conditions are so rare that mental health professionals may never encounter them. Here are five of the rarer mental health conditions.
Rare Mental Health Conditions
1.Khyâl Cap
Khyâl cap or “wind attacks” is a syndrome found among Cambodians in the United States and Cambodia. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), common symptoms are similar to those of panic attacks, including dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and cold extremities, along with symptoms of anxiety and autonomic arousal, such as tinnitus and neck soreness.
These attacks are centered on khyâl, a wind-like substance, rising in the body and the blood, causing a range of serious effects. They may occur without warning, and these attacks usually meet the criteria for panic attacks. A study in Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry found that Cambodian refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder often complain of these attacks. It involves a great fear that death might occur from bodily dysfunction.
Khyâl cap is an example of a cultural syndrome, or a syndrome that tends to co-occur among individuals in specific cultural groups, communities, or contexts.
2. Kufungisisa
Another cultural syndrome in the DSM-5 is Kufungisisa, or “thinking too much.” It is found among the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
In many cultures, “thinking too much” is considered to be damaging to the mind and body, causing specific symptoms like headaches and dizziness. Kufungisisa involves ruminating on upsetting thoughts, particularly worries. As a cultural expression, it is considered to be causative to anxiety, depression, and somatic problems (e.g., “my heart is painful because I think too much”). As an idiom, it is indicative of interpersonal and social difficulties.
“Thinking too much” is a common idiom of distress and cultural explanation across many countries and ethnic groups, including Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and among East Asian and Native American groups.
3. Clinical Lycanthropy
Clinical lycanthropy involves a delusion that the affected person can transform into an animal. It is often associated with turning into a wolf or werewolf; the name of the syndrome originates from the mythical condition of lycanthropy, or shapeshifting into wolves.
People with clinical lycanthropy believe that they can take the form of any particular animal. During this delusion or hallucination, affected individuals can act like the animal. For instance, people may act like wolves and be found in forests and wooded areas. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences labels clinical lycanthropy as a type of delusional misidentification syndrome.
4. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
The separation from oneself, one’s surroundings, or both describes the altered state of depersonalization/derealization disorder. Patients who have this disorder feel they are observing themselves from outside their own body. They may also believe that things aren’t real, as though their surroundings are distorted or time is speeding up or slowing down.
One or both of these tendencies can lead to depersonalization/derealization disorder. Symptoms must be persistent to qualify for a diagnosis because, according to Psychology Today, it is normal to feel this way briefly due to side effects of medication, recreational drugs, or some other physical or mental health condition.
5. Diogenes Syndrome
The compulsive hoarding of rubbish and seemingly random items is the main feature of Diogenes Syndrome, which is found mainly in the elderly and is associated with progressive dementia. Other characteristics include extreme self-neglect, apathy, social withdrawal, and a lack of shame.
The syndrome is a misnomer, as it is named after the Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope. Diogenes was a Cynic who, according to the philosophy he helped found, rejected the desire for wealth, power, and fame, choosing to live free from all possessions. He found virtue in poverty, slept in a large ceramic jar, and sought social interaction.
6. Stendhal Syndrome
Those with Stendhal syndrome experience physical and emotional anxiety as well as panic attacks, dissociative experiences, confusion, and hallucinations when exposed to art. These symptoms are usually triggered by “art that is perceived as particularly beautiful or when the individual is exposed to large quantities of art that are concentrated in a single place,” such as a museum or gallery, according to Medscape. However, individuals may experience similar reactions to beauty in nature. This syndrome is named after a 19th-century French author who experienced the symptoms during a trip to Florence in 1817. Stendhal syndrome may also be called hyperculturemia or Florence syndrome.
7. Apotemnophilia
Also known as body integrity identity disorder, apotemnophilia is characterized by the “overwhelming desire to amputate healthy parts of [the] body.” Though not much is known about it, this disorder is believed to be neurological. Those affected may attempt to amputate their own limbs or damage the limb so that surgical amputation is necessary. Apotemnophilia may be related to damage to the right parietal lobe in the brain. The condition is challenging to treat because people experiencing it often do not seek treatment. However, both cognitive behavioral therapy and aversion therapies can be attempted in order to treat apotemnophilia once treatment is sought.
8. Alien Hand Syndrome
This syndrome is characterized by the belief that one’s hand has its own life and doesn’t belong to oneself. Individuals experiencing alien hand syndrome have normal sensation but feel their hand is autonomous. Those with alien hand syndrome may personify the limb as a separate entity: The unaffected hand is under the individual’s control while the affected hand has its own agenda. This syndrome may occur in individuals who have damage to the corpus callosum, which connects the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain. Other causes include stroke and damage to the parietal lobe. The hands then appear to be in “intermanual conflict” or “ideomotor apraxia,” meaning they act in opposition to one another.
9. Capgras Syndrome
This syndrome is named for Joseph Capgras, a French psychiatrist who explored the illusion of doubles. Those with Capgras syndrome hold the delusional belief that someone in their life, usually a spouse, close friend, or family member, has been replaced by an impostor. It can occur in patients with schizophrenia, dementia, or epilepsy and after traumatic brain injury. Treatment approaches mirror those utilized for the underlying disorders and often include antipsychotic medications.
10. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
Also known as Todd syndrome, Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neurological condition in which one’s perception of their body image, time, or space is distorted. Those experiencing AIWS may have hallucinations, sensory distortion, and an altered sense of velocity. Though there are many symptoms, the most prevalent one is altered body image: Patients are confused about the size and shape of parts of their bodies. These symptoms can trigger panic and fear responses. AIWS is often associated with frequent migraines, brain tumors, or drug use and can affect children between the ages of five and 10.
Explore How to Treat Rare Mental Health Conditions
Treating rare mental health conditions requires a strong understanding of the psychology behind them. You can develop a greater understanding of mental health disorders and other relevant topics through CSP Global’s online bachelor’s in psychology program. With small class sizes and a personalized learning environment, our program equips you with the knowledge and tools necessary to excel in the field of psychology.