Helpful Mental Health Basics for Students and Aspirants of Psychology in 2024

Last Updated: January 22, 2024

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Mental Health is an umbrella term for overall mental wellbeing. Mental health and Psychology is a complex field that is determined by our emotional, spiritual, social, psychological, and behavioral activities. Analyzing different issues of mental health and psychology requires a person-centered approach with a closer look. 

Being a broad term in itself, it takes years and years for people to understand what mental health and Psychology are interlinked with. However, if you are a mental health and psychological aspirant or willing to be one, you should know some basics before you master your field of interest. Basic knowledge and understanding will help determine your career and pathways to professionalism. 

Here are Some Mental Health Basics for Students and Aspirants

Gaslighting

Gaslighting refers to negatively influencing or manipulating someone against their abilities. It is considered a type of psychological abuse and can severely impact a person’s ability to behave properly and to make independent decisions. It can directly impact one’s mental health. There is no single way to provoke gaslighting; sometimes you may not even realize you are being gaslighted.

Gaslighting can happen at any time and anywhere. Being gaslighted makes people feel insecure and insufficient. They reach a position where they are unsure about themselves or their decisions and feel incompetent. As a mental health aspirant, you must be able to make them support them emotionally. You should be able to help them set boundaries and bring their confidence back.

Passive-aggression

Some people do not show their anger and frustration directly due to which their aggression gets expressed indirectly and negatively. This behaviors are known as passive aggression. It is one of the psychological issues typically observed among youngsters. Although it may sound common, their effects may vary from poor academic performance to relationship issues.

Causes of passive aggression may vary from one person to another. However, dealing with such behavior may not be as complex as it should be. Self-realization and self-improvement are some of the most effective ways to control your aggression. Performing yoga and meditation can help you calm down and raise your anger resistance. 

Narcissism

Narcissism is considered to be a mental health condition along with personality disorders. In such cases, people often prioritize their goals and desires irrespective of others feeling and emotions. Narcissistic people lack empathy and look forward to exploiting people thinking of themselves as superiors. Sometimes, people with narcissism don’t even realize having it.

Showing arrogance, feeling envy, and having unrealistically high standards are some of the common characteristics they show. Mood swings, anxiety, depression, a sense of failure, and suicidal tendencies are some of the complications associated with narcissism. Timely diagnosis of the condition ensures prompt treatment and effective therapies.

Limerence

Limerence is an act of having a crush on someone for a long period which later might turn into your obsession. Sometimes, people tend to lose sense of their responsibilities due to extreme focus on the other person. People with limerence are usually preoccupied with constant thoughts of the person which leaves them fantasizing pleasures.

Limerence is problematic and can happen to anyone at any time. Although the obsessions will gradually wear off at a certain point in time, a prolonged determination can make people mentally and psychologically unwell. However, self-improvement and self-maintenance are few positives associated with limerence.

Sociopathy

Sociopathy can also be referred to as Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD). It is a type of disorder that makes people unable to socialize normally. People with the disorder lack empathy and often become aggressive in front of other people. They can easily hurt other people’s feelings when it comes to their advantage.

People with this disorder show symptoms that are usually not noticeable which is why diagnosis becomes difficult. Educating people about these conditions is the one way to evoke self-realization. creating boundaries and implanting self-awareness is the best way to prevent sociopathy.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that develops after being exposed to traumatic incidents or tragic experiences at some point in their life. People with PTSD are usually anxious, nervous, and have fears. Although people having PTSD may have varying causes, unpleasant experiences make it begin.

Not every case of PTSD requires prolonged treatment as it gets better over time. There are severe cases of PTSD that need to undergo behavioral therapy and frequent psychiatric consultations. Some people may need medications as well. Apart from clinical therapies, emotional support makes a bigger difference. Being there for someone suffering from PTSD can help them a lot to recover.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of disorder that makes people overthink about tasks and makes them perform it repeatedly. Having OCD can hinder you from carrying out your daily activities smoothly. It can take up your personal and work time and can constantly occupy your mind. Having a family history of OCD and/or being exposed to stressful life events can increase the likelihood of having OCD.

Frequently washing hands, checking the lights again and again, cleaning something repeatedly even though it’s not required are some common examples for OCD. Suffering from severe cases of OCD is associated with relationship issues and poor quality of life. It disorients you from your ultimate goal. A psychiatric will help people with OCD by keeping you under a healthy supervision. 

Experience helps you understand these basics

The best way to start your journey as a mental health and psychological student or aspirants is to explore  opportunities that involves volunteering experience and internships. First hand experiences is the best and quick way to understand the basic concept that helps you create a strong foundation or your academics and your career.

Psychology Internship for college and high school students

If you are looking for a psychology based career, joining internship opportunities will help you identify your career goals. Getting an internship will help you understand how wide is the scope for psychology. These programs are designed to help you enhance your technical and non-technical skills.

Psychology internships opportunities are best suited for high school and college students wants to get insights on professional psychology. It is best to look out for internship placements as sson as you finish your graduation or in between your semester break. Early enrollment ensures early start of the career. 

Psychology volunteer opportunities for high school students

There are various volunteering opportunities for interested students. You should consider these opportunities if you are looking for assistantships, facilitation and project-oriented works. If you are open to learn about cultural diversification and their influence in psychological well-being, there is no better way to do it.

Advocating health issues, improving child’s education, raising funds, hosting an event are some examples of volunteering opportunities. You can interconnect your passion and career goals to customize your own volunteering experience in sectors you want to contribute. Knowledge can always be spread and learning should never be stopped.