Charles Bonnet Syndrome Course

£295.00

Course Overview

SFTR Registered Open College Diploma Course

  •  SFTR Accredited Open College Diploma Course
  • Upon completion of this course you will be entitled to the use of these Designatory letters after your name: Dip.Couns.CBS which will be printed upon your final Diploma Certificate under your name.

Additionally you will receive these 2 Certificates within your course package:

  • A4 size Membership wall display certificate into the Open College. Allowing you the use of MOC after your name.
  • A4 size Membership wall display certificate into the SFTR. Allowing you the use of MSFTR after your name.

This diploma course is currently available for the temporary reduced low fee of only £295.00 UK.

Course Description

Charles Bonnet Syndrome Course

What is Charles Bonnet Syndrome?

CBS otherwise known as Charles Bonnet Syndrome is a phenomenon amongst people who have lost their eyesight. CBS results in visual hallucinations, the seeing of things that aren’t actually there.

The experience is often only visual and includes detailed images of people and buildings or landscape surroundings. These type of visual hallucinations stand-alone from any other form of hallucinations such as auditory or kinaesthetic hallucinations.

Charles Bonnet syndrome is specifically related to the failing eyesight and is not a mental health condition or even a dementia.

Because the condition is predominantly within elderly people the hallucinatory visions or experiences can produce certain behaviour which can be perceived as a mental health problem or even similar or confused with dementia behaviour which it is not.

Most people would CBS experience the visions as though they were real and very vivid but most are aware that they are not real.

If you are experiencing visual hallucinations please consult your GP immediately for a diagnosis and the search for the underlying cause.

Types of hallucination

There have been reports that there are two main types of hallucination.

  • The first relate to patterns or lines such as brickwork, blocks or tiles and squares.
  • The second type relates to places, landscapes and scenes, individuals or gatherings of people.

The hallucinations may be real live actual sizes or can be reduced or enlarged which can make the experience even more daunting.

Hallucinations can last from a few minutes to several hours and can appear like a bolt out of the blue and some can be alarming whilst others can accept them for what they are.

Hallucinations can be in full colour or just simply black-and-white and can involve movements or be completely still.

It’s not the content that is frightening; more the actual experience that can be disturbing.

Charles Bonnet syndrome is prevalent in people who have lost the majority of their eyesight and is more common in people who have lost visual functions in both eyes at the same time.

It can also happen to anyone of any age who has lost their eyesight but as more people lose their eyesight in old age then it is more common in the elderly than the young.

Why does this happen?

When the various eye mechanisms fail for whatever reason, the brain does not receive the images which it is conditioned to receive, therefore it is considered (theory) the brain starts to misfire by producing hallucinatory or fantasy type imagery by generating the creation of new replacement pictures and images as though they were live and real.

Possibly the mind of the brain’s way of putting back that which has been lost – overcompensation!

It is considered that there are over 100,000 sufferers with Charles Bonnet syndrome in the United Kingdom alone and the majority of these sufferers are those who have lost their vision.

People, who develop CBS, generally suffer from a medical condition known as macular degeneration which is a slow and progressive diminishment of the eyes central vision.

Often people who experience Charles Bonnet Syndrome may believe or anxiously worry that they are suffering from a serious mental illness or even a dementia when in most cases they are not although people with dementia who have lost their eyesight may develop CBS as well. The point being, CBS can be experienced by healthy people who have no other conditions other than failing eyesight.

Charles Bonnet syndrome cure

Currently there is no known cure for Charles Bonnet syndrome.

Often the approach is psychological and or therapeutic sessions or consultations are offered to help the sufferer come to terms with the condition so that they know it is in most cases harmless hallucinations and that they gain an understanding that it is the brain that is misfiring and possibly (theory) trying to put back images that have been lost. It is that understanding that is gained, that it is the brain that is trying to assist the person who has lost their eyesight and that’s all it is.

With the right reassuring delivery and guidance, this sort of approach where the sufferer is, for want of simple explanation offered basic counselling and educational support on the matter.

This course is awarded an open college diploma certificate in the study of CBS and is ideally suited to anyone who works amongst sufferers of Charles Bonnet Syndrome in any form related to eye loss.

This course is open to therapists and care workers or even opticians, trainees and students alike.

This course is also perfect for family members or loved ones who need to gain a deeper understanding on the condition to support and help those family members or loved ones through their experiences of their hallucinations.

This course provides a comprehensive overall view of neuroscience and visual hallucinations including the clinical testing involved and latest diagnosis and future treatment plans.

Course Provider:

Open College UK Ltd

Format:

This course is set in the English language and is entirely coursework based. All notes and reading materials, including text book/s are supplied by us direct in one complete package. There are no other required text or materials, books to purchase. We supply everything for you within your course package for the low fee shown. There are no hidden or additional fees to pay.

Method of Learning:

This is a home study, distance learning course. All of your course study materials are posted to you in one complete study package. All of your coursework is to be completed within the outlined period. This course is structured in an EASY LEARNING and user friendly way.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this home learning programme, students should be able to understand the basics of many key areas within this subject. Participants of the course will have acquired an overall basic understanding of the subject matter and will have achieved a sound basis to summarize important topics and be reasonably competent to make further progress and educational development in this field with a range of theoretical skills and insights to assist with any short or long term goals.

Grading Assessment:

This course is assessed upon the successful completion and submission of coursework with a Pass, Merit or Distinction. Distinction is 90%. All content is course work based, home study through the post or online, depending on the subject being studied. NO attendance or visits to any exam centre is required on this subject.

Entry Requirements:
There are NO entry requirements. No background training or qualifications are required. Anyone can enrol at any time, beginners, intermediates and experienced all year round. You are expected to be able to read and write or type/word process your coursework and be able to understand the English language.

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