Knowing that one in three college students report experiencing mental health issues before coming to school, it's important to start early with education on psychological disorders and mental health.  This class provides a fun and memorable way to explore disorders.

This class is ideal for students who have an interest in psychology and psychological disorders. No prior psychology experience is needed, but students should be familiar with the characters that will be referenced each week. No videos will be viewed in the classes.

These nine lessons are the same lessons covered in the same entitled class that is in the "ongoing" format.

This is an educational, fact-based course, and not a counseling or therapy group. 

Each class will have three components.
I.   Define elements of recognized psychological disorders & information on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
II.  What disorders do the characters of the week illustrate
III. What are the primary elements of the disorders of listed characters, as defined by the DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

Week One  Disney characters- Mike (Monsters, Inc), Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians), Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Lots-O-Love Bear (Toy Story), and Flounder (The Little Mermaid)- Disorders such as Anti-social and Narcissistic Personality Disorder will be discussed

Week Two  Superhero characters- The Thing (Fantastic Four), Batman (Batman), Star-Lord (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Captain Marvel (Captain Marvel)- BONUS The psychology of why we like superheroes- Disorders such as Intermittent Explosive Disorder and Dissociative Amnesia will be discussed.

Week Three  Mickey's Friends- Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story), Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh), Dumbo (Dumbo Live Action), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), and Quasimodo (Hunchback of Notre Dame) - Disorders such a Delusional Disorder and Avoidant Personality Disorder will be discussed.

Week Four Fictional Detectives- Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, Miss Marple, Monk, Shawn (Psych); Disorders such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Unspecified Depressive Disorder NOS, General Personality Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Stimulant Use Disorder will  be discussed.

Week Five  Villains and why we love them- Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars/ Episode II Attack of the Clones & Episode III Revenge of the Sith), Sid (Toy Story), The Riddler (Batman), Buford (Phineas and Ferb) - Disorders such as Acute Stress Disorder and Conduct Disorder will be discussed.

Week Six Variety of character types- The Joker (Batman), The Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Elsa (Frozen), Iron Man (Iron Man), Cinderella (Cinderella) - Disorders such as Schizophrenia and Body Dysmorphia will be discussed.

Week Seven  Animated Characters- Ferb (Phineas and Ferb), Fear (Inside Out), Porky Pig (Looney Tunes), Sleeping Beauty (Shrek the Third), Abu, the monkey (Aladdin) - Disorders such as Selective Mutism and Kleptomania will be discussed.

Week Eight  Variety of character types Part II- Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Shaggy (Scooby-Doo), Wolverine (Logan), Batman (Batman-Animated Series), Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean) - Disorders such as Aviophobia and Alcohol Use Disorder will be discussed.

Week Nine  Donald Duck & Friends- Sleepy (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Simba (The Lion King), Russell (Up), Wanda Maximoff (WandaVision), Donald Duck (Walt Disney Productions) - Disorders such as Social Disinhibited Disorder and Complex Bereavement Disorder will be discussed.

Because research says students learn better when relaxed, learners will not be called on.  Chat box polls will be used to encourage participation.  Participation is welcomed but never required.

I use slides, gifs and chat box polls to enhance learning.  I have a structured, yet humor-filled teaching style, designed to keep student's interest and help learners feel comfortable.