Describes how personality types, core beliefs, and behavioral habits affect chronic illness. Discusses the most common chronic illnesses and the key factors in prevention and management. Explains how stress, anxiety, and depression influence chronic illnesses. Describes practical behavioral habits for coping with disabling chronic conditions like pain, cancer, arthritis, and other diseases. Lists ways to help patients develop healthier habits in terms of nutrition, activity, preventive medical and dental care, and emotional well-being. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, and other health professions.

Describes the structure and function of neurons, glia, neurotransmitters, and brain regions. Explains how the brain produces and is a ected by anxiety, trauma disorders, and depression. Describes how stress is the foundation for anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), trauma, and many depressions. Describes the new criteria for the diagnosis of PTSD, trauma disorders, and anxiety disorders. Outlines the symptoms and treatment of the major anxiety disorders, including dental anxiety. Lists the difference in symptoms and treatment of trauma disorders, including PTSD. Explains the nature and course of depression as a co-factor in PTSD, trauma, and anxiety disorders. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.

Describes how perception, thinking, emotions, and memory combine to produce cognitive appraisals and behavior. Outlines the causes, components, and management of psychological stress. Defines resilience and explain the factors that compose the ability to “bounce back” from stressful events. Lists the major components of the positive-psychology approach to increasing life satisfaction. Identifies the elements of happiness and optimism and how to apply them to increase well-being. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.