Summer Internship for psychology students at Moolchand Hospital

From the 23rd to the 27th of May, 2017, five students of our School attended an internship at Moolchand Medcity's Psychiatry Wing with noted psychologist, Dr. Jitendra Nagpal.

The students were introduced to a variety of experts in different fields of Psychology, ranging from occupational therapists to researchers. The internship began from the 23rd when in the morning, pleasantries were shared and introductions done. A factor we were informed about on Day One, which we saw implemented daily, was that the space was entirely non-judgemental and dedicated to the holistic learning of students. It was all about the work of psychologists. The day was spent discussing the basics of what a psychologist really does and several case studies at the hospital.

At the end, we spent around an hour discussing the Child Pro forma and the data that needs to be taken to arrive at a diagnosis of a child.

Day 2 began with no lag in the momentum! We students discussed the adult pro forma extensively. After a short break, we had an occupational therapist come and talk to us about what it is like to practically work with and help treat children affected with Cerebral Palsy and Schizophrenia. The day ended with students learning how to conduct an IQ test and learning more about the term IQ. An IQ questionnaire was discussed extensively and the different levels of questioning were talked about in detail. The process of making a Genogram was discussed as well.

Day 3 began with a role play by the students, one acting as a therapist and the other as the patient. The role play's purpose was to demonstrate how essential the non verbal cues of a therapist are, and how important it is to have a calm and collected discussion while taking in the case history of a client. After this, our discussion continued on the topic of IQ and what issues can arise from a low IQ. The IQ ranges were also explained. Students were told how low IQ leads to children being either slow learners (IQ between 70-79) or possessing intellectual disability (IQ below 70), as opposed to kids with a normal IQ (between 90-110).

This study was followed by another set of case studies and students were informed of the importance of taking a case history and then working well at it. The occupational therapist then came and continued her discussion, this time on the treatment of Autistic children and how they need extra attention. The crux of the discussion was to show that autistic kids arent any different from other children. They just need extra attention, care and understanding to be brought out of their tiny bubble where they tend to feel safest- self absorbed and self involved.

Day 4 started with a long discussion on Expressive Theory and how, through the medium of the different forms of art and dance we can help in the betterment of the emotional state of patients suffering from several diseases. A volunteer from the Ashwin Maharaj Foundation was attending the internship and he enlightened us on the use of music to help cancer patients. The foundation is a non profit organisation that ropes in college students as volunteers to sing in cancer wards at hospitals. These greatly cheer and lift the atmosphere, which in turn helps patients feel better.

After this, we had a presentation on personality disorders and their different kinds. Several case studies were analysed and students were taught the different clusters of these disorders. The day ended with a deep discussion between the students and Dr. Nagpal on what actually makes up the brain and the mind, how they are connected and how the human mind works. The theories of several psychologists were discussed including Freud's idea of Superego and McNaughtons Rule which talks of pardoning people with psychological issues, in instances where they commit unlawful acts.

The final day consisted of an hour long session with Dr. Nagpal discussing the history of psychological disorders and how several diseases have co mobility, such as Autism with Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder with substance abuse. The students, with Dr. Nagpal discussed famous psychologists like Hans Eysenk and others who had a large role to play in making psychology, the subject what it is today. A long discussion also took place on the connectivity between Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and the Indian mantra of self actualisation through meditation and Yoga.

The internship was an enriching experience for us and we carried back lots of new knowledge and perspectives of what Psychology entails.

Avantika Chodha, XI-D.