<p>Hi, I love reading about odd mental conditions, disorders, etc. It's something I have always done and something I genuinely enjoy. Since I'm at that time where I should be choosing a college major I would like to know what branch exactly studies these conditions? Here are some examples of the type of conditions or experiences I find interesting: Capgras delusion, deja vu, schizophrenia, depersonalization, Lucid dreaming, Any disorders related to dreams, Fregoli delusion, Cotard delusion, and other things related to the mind. As you can see, I don't necessarily care about physical illness of the brain. </p>
<p>I know some of these are : Neurology, psychology, psychiatry, cognitive psychology...I would really like to just STUDY them, maybe study patients and work in research but not necessarily being a doctor in an office taking care of patients on a daily basis. </p>
<p>So please, if you can tell me a SPECIFIC major and what I should study from it (e.g. the many different branches of psychology and neurology) and also, if you know how long would it take me to get to the point where I can be working on research or something like it? </p>
<p>Thank you and I'm sorry for the long description, if you read this I love you <3 :)</p>
<p>None. You’re looking for a PhD in abnormal psychology.</p>
<p>Thank you very much bluedevilmike. If you could provide any further information, might I ask, How long would it take me to finish all my studies and where would I find work? (I’m guessing at a University?) Another thing, what would my path be? (Psychology bachelor’s, Applied Psychological research and then abnormal psychology? I can’t find anything on a PhD on abnormal psychology but I will continue searching)
Either way, even if you can’t provide this information I’m very grateful! Thank you!</p>
<p>I suggest getting a PhD in Neuroscience/neurobiology in a good university in a department where you know there will be professors who study these kinds of things.</p>
<p>A PhD in abnormal psychology (search for programs under the title “Clinical Psychology,” and then when in school just do a dissertation on an abnormal condition) can take anywhere from 4 to 7 years. Work would either be in private practice as a therapist or in academia as a professor/researcher. There may be some avenues alongside psychiatrists in hospitals, but not sure of this.</p>
<p>Major in psychology, do some research while an undergrad or maybe afterwards, and then go to grad school. Probably finished by age 28.</p>
<p>Thank you again! I did some research yesterday and I know now what I should study but I feel like I’m leaning towards Marketing (and then an MBA) more than I am towards psychology for the simple fact that what I want in psychology takes so long. Not that I want an easy pass to it but from what I learned yesterday the PhD alone takes 5-7 years, the master’s 2-3 and the Bachelor’s of course, 4 years. This is an average of 11-15 years studying. Is it really worth it, studying all those years of my life? Is the pay even that great? I looked at some salaries and they are surprisingly low for the amount of work these people put up with in College. I feel like the amount of time I will lose studying, could be better given towards forming a family or just simply working. A career in business grants good money for only 4-7 years of studies. I really, really do like Abnormal Psychology though. Going crazy here…</p>
<p>Either way, I thank you for all your help, I guess now it’s up to me to decide…Maybe I’ll get some help from an advisor…</p>
<p>The master’s and the PhD don’t stack. It’s 2-3 years for the master’s and another 2-3 for the PhD, usually.</p>
<p>What do you mean by don’t stack? I knew the master’s was 2-3 years usually but I’ve read the PhD takes 5-7 years to finish. Or is that master’s + PhD?</p>
<p>Thank you for your help again ;)</p>
<p>You get your master’s on the way to getting the PhD. Nonetheless, it’s still a really long time.</p>