Disorders Related To Trauma
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Disorders Related To Trauma
This course is part of multiple programs.
Instructor: Kyle Smith
5,770 already enrolled
Included with
What you'll learn
Different types of trauma, their definitions, and the range of potential outcomes—both negative and positive—that can follow traumatic experiences
How PTSD, acute stress disorder, and dissociative disorders are understood, diagnosed and treated by clinicians
Details to know
14 assignments
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There are 8 modules in this course
Trauma is a near-universal human experience that affects 90% of people at some point in their lives. This course offers a powerful research-based foundation in the psychology of trauma, designed for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the topic, whether for professional growth or personal insight.
In the first three modules, you'll explore what trauma is, the different forms it can take, and how it impacts the mind and body. The next two modules dive into trauma-related psychological disorders, including PTSD, acute stress disorder, and dissociative disorders. Throughout, we will use case studies to illustrate the nature of these disorders. You’ll also learn about the factors that foster resilience and how mental health care professionals support recovery. Whether you're curious about the psychological impact of trauma or looking to build a foundational understanding for personal or professional interest, this course offers accessible, research-informed insights that can deepen your knowledge about trauma and prepare you for further exploration of the topic.
This module introduces you to your PsycLearn Essentials course. Find out what’s included in this course and how to navigate the modules and lessons. You’ll also learn valuable study tips for successful learning.
What's included
8 readings
8 readings•Total 29 minutes
- A Welcome Note From Your Instructor•3 minutes
- Welcome to PsycLearn Essentials•3 minutes
- How to Earn Certificates•2 minutes
- Survey: What Would You Like to See Next?•5 minutes
- What’s in Your Course•5 minutes
- Study Tips for Success in PsycLearn Essentials•5 minutes
- Additional Information •5 minutes
- Representation in Research•1 minute
This module provides an introduction to psychological disorders. Key terms, such as psychopathology and psychological disorder, are defined. The process of diagnosis is discussed and the two dominant diagnostic schemes in mental health are explained. Finally, cultural issues in diagnosis are identified.
What's included
3 videos6 readings2 assignments
3 videos•Total 11 minutes
- Course Introduction and Learning Objectives•4 minutes
- Psychological Disorders and Psychopathology•3 minutes
- Symptoms, Syndromes, and Diagnoses•4 minutes
6 readings•Total 45 minutes
- Important Information About the Course•5 minutes
- Module Introduction and Learning Objectives•5 minutes
- Follow-Up to Psychological Disorders and Psychopathology•10 minutes
- Talking About People With Psychological Disorders•5 minutes
- Standardizing Diagnoses•10 minutes
- Key Takeaways: Introduction to Psychological Disorders•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 20 minutes
- Module Quiz•10 minutes
- Check Your Understanding: Overview of Psychological Disorders•10 minutes
This module will introduce you to the nature of trauma, explain what differentiates trauma from stress, and talk about the three different types of trauma.
What's included
2 videos11 readings3 assignments
2 videos•Total 8 minutes
- Complex Trauma•3 minutes
- Resilience in the Face of Trauma•5 minutes
11 readings•Total 105 minutes
- Module Introduction and Learning Objectives•5 minutes
- What are Stress and Trauma?•10 minutes
- The Physiological Response to Stressors•10 minutes
- The Psychological Response to Stressors•10 minutes
- Introduction to Different Types of Trauma•10 minutes
- Acute Trauma•10 minutes
- Chronic Trauma•10 minutes
- Follow-Up to Complex Trauma•10 minutes
- Another Category of Trauma•10 minutes
- Follow-Up to Resilience in the Face of Trauma•10 minutes
- Key Takeaways: Introduction to Trauma•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 42 minutes
- Module Quiz: Introduction to Trauma•22 minutes
- Check Your Understanding: Introducing Stress and Trauma•10 minutes
- Check Your Understanding: Introducing Stress and Trauma•10 minutes
This module will provide information about two of the stress disorders: acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. In it, you will learn about what these disorders are, how they are diagnosed, the rates at which different groups are diagnosed with the disorders, the factors that make the disorders more or less severe, and how the disorders are best treated.
What's included
2 videos9 readings4 assignments
2 videos•Total 8 minutes
- Treatment of Stress Disorders•5 minutes
- Growth After Stress Disorders•2 minutes
9 readings•Total 95 minutes
- Module Introduction and Learning Objectives•5 minutes
- Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder•10 minutes
- Characteristics of Stress Disorders•10 minutes
- Diagnostic Criteria and Prevalence Rates of Stress Disorders•10 minutes
- Stress Disorders in Epidemics and Pandemics•10 minutes
- Factors that Affect the Risk of Developing Stress Disorders•20 minutes
- Follow-Up to Treatment of and Growth After Stress Disorders•10 minutes
- A Story of PTSD Recovery•10 minutes
- Key Takeaways: Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 42 minutes
- Module Quiz: Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder•14 minutes
- Check Your Understanding: An Introduction to the Stress Disorders•6 minutes
- Check Your Understanding: Characteristics of Stress Disorders•14 minutes
- Check Your Understanding: Moving Beyond Stress Disorders•8 minutes
In addition to acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, trauma can lead to a variety of dissociative disorders. This module explains the nature of these disorders, how they are diagnosed, and how they may arise from traumatic experiences.
What's included
2 videos10 readings4 assignments
2 videos•Total 6 minutes
- What is Dissociation?•4 minutes
- Dissociative Amnesia•2 minutes
10 readings•Total 110 minutes
- Introduction and Learning Objectives•5 minutes
- Basic Information About Dissociation•10 minutes
- Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder•15 minutes
- Follow-Up to Dissociative Amnesia•10 minutes
- Dissociative Amnesia Case Studies: Brandon and Hannah•10 minutes
- Dissociative Identity Disorder•10 minutes
- Is Dissociative Identity Disorder Real?•10 minutes
- Trauma and Dissociative Disorders•10 minutes
- Treatment of Dissociative Disorders•15 minutes
- Key Takeaways: Dissociative Disorders•15 minutes
4 assignments•Total 56 minutes
- Module Quiz: Dissociative Disorders•20 minutes
- Check Your Understanding: And Introduction to Dissociative Disorders•6 minutes
- Check Your Understanding: The Dissociative Disorders•16 minutes
- Check Your Understanding: Causes and Treatments of Dissociative Disorders•14 minutes
This module will help you review the important concepts of the course and prepare you for the cumulative quiz. The module is broken down by learning objective, with each lesson containing key takeaways and key terms relevant to that learning objective.
What's included
1 video15 readings
1 video•Total 3 minutes
- Welcome to the Course Summary•3 minutes
15 readings•Total 123 minutes
- Key Takeaways•10 minutes
- Key Terms•5 minutes
- Key Takeaways•10 minutes
- Key Terms•5 minutes
- Key Takeaways•10 minutes
- Key Terms•4 minutes
- Key Takeaways•10 minutes
- Key Terms•5 minutes
- Key Takeaways•10 minutes
- Key Terms•10 minutes
- Key Visuals•10 minutes
- Key Takeaways•15 minutes
- Key Terms•10 minutes
- Key Takeaways•5 minutes
- Key Terms•4 minutes
This module contains a quiz covering all of the material in this course. It will count for 30% of your total course grade, so make sure you’ve reviewed the material well. Good luck!
What's included
1 reading1 assignment
1 reading•Total 5 minutes
- Instructor's Note: Next Steps•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Cumulative Quiz: Disorders Related to Trauma•30 minutes
This module contains a glossary, course references and contributors, and additional APA student resources.
What's included
11 readings
11 readings•Total 22 minutes
- Glossary•1 minute
- References•1 minute
- Contributors•1 minute
- Introduction to APA Resources•5 minutes
- Student Resources•2 minutes
- APA Style®, Research, and Writing•2 minutes
- Students from Diverse Ethnic, Cultural, and Economic Backgrounds•2 minutes
- Psychology Help Center•2 minutes
- Psychology Careers•2 minutes
- Careers and Internships at APA•2 minutes
- Other APA Resources•2 minutes
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Instructor
Explore more from Psychology
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American Psychological Association
Specialization
- Status: PreviewU
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Course
- Status: Free TrialA
American Psychological Association
Specialization
- Status: Free TrialA
American Psychological Association
Course
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Reviewed on Nov 25, 2025
very clear and insightful for those who doesn't have medical academic background
Reviewed on Jun 4, 2026
Excellent class about PTSD and other related dissociation disorders.
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