Self-reflective post

I think this blog has a calming and sophisticated feel to it, as I thoroughly chose colours and topics I like and interested in. Blue colour is found to be calming and relaxing. It is something very suitable for the topic of psychology. This blog includes a simple, yet informative, navigation bar which can take you to the topics you are especially interested in. Also, a poll is added at the side, in order to know what is interesting/useful and what isn't from the users themselves. This blog seeks to help those interested in studying psychology, as it tells people about the best ways of getting work placements and useful resources include some more serious book which are included in the academic programme. This blog was an interesting experience for me, although hard. I found writing for the blog rather challenging and certain manipulations with CSS - were experienced by me for the first time. Overall, it was a challenging, engaging and interesting unit this year.

A video shot by me, in order to show the isolation that depression creates and how the world seems to be fading away.

Why blue is most people's favourite colour?

Blue - is the favourite colour

In 2003, a study was conducted by Joe Hallock, who surveyed people from 22 different countries. The survey strived to find out people's favourite colour. The study found out that 35% of females (the majority of participants) and 57% of males (the majority) chose blue as their favourite colour. Moreover, blue was never chosen as the least favourite colour among the participants. 

(male)

(female)

(male)

(female)

“Blue is not only the most popular color on the web today, it is also the most popular color on the spectrum internationally. Long associated with the serenity of a clear blue sky, and the cleansing waters of tranquil seas, the human mind embraces the concept of blue as constant, translating it into a symbolic message of dependability and loyalty.” (Pantone Vice President Laurie Pressman)

                               

                       (Miss Marrs colour which was declared the closest to the overall consensus)

Blue is considered to be the most calming colour for the psychoemotional perceptive. This dates back thousands of years, where blue symbolised things like eternity, stability and purity. It is said to have a positive and calming effect on the mind of most people, whereas others can perceive it as being pressuring and stifling. If you also add, the concept that some people find that blue helps them concentrate, as well as relax, it comes as no surprise that it is widely chosen as a favourite colour. 

I got my Psychology work experience - you can do it too!

Usually it is very difficult, if not downright impossible to get a job in your field while studying. Especially, if you are studying psychology or medicine. You might be refused the job, as you not yet have the right level of knowledge and practice to perform and react to certain things in a more professional way.

After my AS-levels were done, I came home, unsure of what to do for the whole summer.

The opportunity came seemingly out of nowhere!

I heard my parent's friend talking about the psychiatric hospital, where some of the students from universities passed their practical exams and did work experience. It was then it occurred to me, that I might be able to get in, if I am to show the proof that I am, in fact, a student (let's put aside that I wasn't a university student at the time). At first, not much was coming out of the talking, as I struggled to explain to people that I am a student, who is required to have a work experience. After a few days they agreed for me to work half-days (9 to 14 on most days) and under supervision of one of the superior psychiatrists there.

Every morning I had to wake up around 7 am and get a train into the city to start my 'shift' at 8.

At the weekend I was given breaks, in order to have some time off, as working non-stop would be a bit of a nightmare, especially being new and in such a tough environment. Working in psychiatric hospital requires a lot of mental effort. You should always ask for breaks, if you feel like you are starting to strain yourself.

I attended group trainings with day-time patients as well as patients who are to stay in hospitals. The training courses varied between each disorder. However, all of the courses had one mission - to integrate patients back into society and help them deal with their problems and disorders. 

It was evident for me how much knowledge I lacked. I'm not even speaking about knowledge you get from the books, but rather, the practical knowledge you get from just working in this field. 

Nonetheless I was able to find the needed work experience, so what I would like to stress is that, even though it is hard, you can do it! You can achieve the goal you set and find the work experience, just remember to look everywhere and search through all your connections, and soon a chance will appear, as it did for me. 

Not quite a patient: How to get your work experience?

What is it exactly that people will require from you?

People will require common sense and quick thinking. Keep strong emotions to yourself, keep your calm and be cool headed. Psychiatric hospitals can be a downing experience and you should be prepared to see and experience things you have not before.

• Cool Head
• Logic
• Time Management
• Communication Skills
• Fast reflexes
• Quick learner

They tell you what to do/what not to do - you do so/you don't do so.

You have to be careful. There will be certain rules and way of doing things. Every hospital has it's own conduct of behaviour and you should really take on board all the instructions given to you. Especially when dealing with patients. Even if some may seem paranoid, they are there to ensure your safety too, so follow the rules carefully.

What is useful to know before coming to psychiatric hospital?

Any work at a psychiatric hospital - whether a doctor or just as an apprentice - is difficult. It is a mentally challenging situation working in such an environment. Especially, when talking about your own emotional state. If you feel like you might not be ready to take up a job which includes emotional strain. All people are different and it is completely okay to take things slowly or change your decision about doing work experience. Things got very hard for me at some points. There were moments when I wished I would just quit and forget all of it as a bad dream. But really, at the time I felt like not giving it up. I think what I should have really done is take a day off between working days, rather than working full week. I do recommend taking things slowly. A days break in between days of working, can really be what keeps you from quitting this idea of working in this field entirely, so do take my advice, and take things slowly. 

What skills and characteristics will make you stand out and make them choose you more likely?

•  Good analytical skills - the ability to analyse any given information on the spot 

•  Be well aware of the research ethic guidelines in psychology 

•  Have a good knowledge of psychology history and its different research methods

•  Be also up to date with newest research and theories

• And most importantly: have a PASSION for the subject and SHOW IT! 

Looking after oneself

A little infographic to give you the most important tips to battle low mood!

Psychological Help in Farnham

It is really important to check one's health. And it is as important to look after one's mental health. When you are feeling low - try to reach out to your friends or loved ones. If you do not feel comfortable enough or would like to receive a professional and unbiased advice - why not have a look at my map? Here you can find several clinics/practices where you can receive professional help in Farnham (all marked in blue). 

Useful Resources (websites)

American Psychological Association

Useful Resources (books)

Freud (recommended books):

- A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis

- The Interpretation of Dreams

- Unconscious

Philip Zimbardo (recommended books):

- The Lucifer Effect

Lisa Appignanesi (recommended books):

- Mad, Bad and Sad

Richard P. Bentall (recommended books):

- Madness Explained

Oliver Sacks (recommended books):

- The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat

- Migraine

Introduction

What is psychology and how to eat it: practical guide 

Psychology is a study of human mind and human behaviour. It can be applied to anything and anyone, in every area of our lives, ranging from politics to advertising, food we consume or people we choose to love - psychology is everywhere.

I created this blog in order to help people discover psychology for themselves, whether it's social psychology or something more science-y, like biopsychology (don't worry, Freud will be with us too). I will be looking at different topics, debating and discussing each one from different points of view, as taken by each branch of the psychology field. 

First thing first - introduction and explanations.

Psychology is a lot about theory. It is difficult to find anecdotal evidence for most psychological hypotheses. One of the branches which does find hard evidence is Biopsychology. In other words - biological psychology. It studies brains, how they are structured, chemicals in them and our bodies overall, fight-flight responses, stress… Basically, a branch of psychology which is really closely intertwined with biology of a human being and how it influences our mental health, behaviour etc. But my point is - it is hard to find evidence and prove or disprove certain theories in psychology. Experiments and correlations may be done, but these things have their own faults and anomalies, which should be taken into account (I will be talking about this later in methodological part of this blog). 

Psychology is supposed to be ethical and it involves tons of rules. One of the obvious rules - would be protection of participants (used to be called ‘subjects’, but it was argued that that label dehumanises) from physical and psychological harm. Other things will include consent, debriefing etc., which will also be discussed in methodological section. 

Psychological has become highly academic and, in a sense, even snobbish. A lot of academics, professors and others in the field of psychology, may use absolutely unreadable language, which for most people will make no sense whatsoever, to explain simple things. Definitely not a fun reading for the free evening! To read these texts you will need a lot of nerves and patience, as it might take you more than one evening to go through a paper. Don't tire yourself out, as reading academic texts and papers isn't everything in psychology. Even though, they might be of use, they aren't a universal remedy. 

Many people may ask “Why do you like psychology if it's such a problematic/theory-based/boring/other (underline the right one) subject?”. 

Well, because, no matter the difficulties or problems within the field, the excitement of finding something new, elaborating on something old, coming to an understanding of something that you couldn't before, the idea of helping someone or relieving their pain and suffering is absolutely stunningly beautiful. Because psychology helps us in everyday life, in every aspect of it, most of the time, making our life easier, helping those in need of help. Explaining certain things that would not be explained otherwise. Psychology is often viewed as a pseudo-science, that it's not serious enough - but I don't think that it's a problem. Psychology may not be a serious subject in the eyes of the other sciences, but it helps nonetheless, which I think is one of the most important things. It's fascinating to understand people, to help them, to get them through their struggles and see them heal, whether mentally or physically.

So, as you've probably gathered so far, psychology is a hard, merciless subject with its own issues to take into consideration. But as much as this, it is infinitely rewarding.

The first step is taken and the road towards the world of psychology is ahead of us!