Psych classes: helpful or harmful

So I'm just looking for some insight from anyone who is in college or has been recently. Do you think that taking psych classes help you work through things or do they make it worse?

I'm graduating with a BA in psychology and going on to get a masters and license in counseling. It hasn't harmed me at all.

If you can do lots of writing and explaining then go for it. You might even be better at understanding your own mental health situation.

It depends on the class and on the professor!

Hi. I received my Bachelors in Behavioral Science last year and am studying for my Masters in Psychology now. I do find it is helpful in not only understanding myself, but others. I encourage anyone to go to college or back to college if that is their desire, but one must realize it is very expensive and a big commitment. If one can handle the responsibility of Grad or Undergrad then I think taking classes, especially in psych is awesome. When I took psychopharmacology, it really helped me to understand about the different medications and how they work. I am getting ready to start dx & assessment class soon and that should be interesting. Blessings. Julie

I was enthralled in my Abnormal Psych class, great lessons, great teacher, aced the class but it left me feeling sui and deep urges to SI even though I hadn't in years. It ended up being the breaking point that triggered me to seek T. So I guess it was helpful after it was harmful.

My first bachelor's degree was in psychology/human development. I have always been very interesting in the mind, and I think it's helped to understand stuff. But then I'm one of those persons that will deny that it's happening to them.

I took it in sixth form - twice actually - and I can honestly say, it was neither.
I didn't think it was helpful in recovery but I didn't think it was detrimental either; it just was what it was. There were some interesting things and case studies and then there were other things which I found did apply to me and other things which were more difficult to talk about but it was a learning experience - it was one of my preferred subjects though.

It depends on a lot of things, such as class subject, teaching style, your history and what stage in your life you're at ... Some psychology classes can shed light on things you are not aware of, but not all (for example my freshman year history of psychology class did not shed light on anything personal for me and I doubt that it did for anyone). Some can be intense - for example if you study psychological pathology. Many of psychology students I talked to kept self-diagnosing for even normal range issues after that course. But your experience will be yours and yours alone, so my suggestion is to become aware of what your triggers are, what kinds of classes you may not be ready for, what issues you feel you aren't prepared to talk about openly and study just yet.
If you do decide to take psych classes and something feels bad, do remember that your professors will probably be psychologists and you should be able to tell them about your issue during office hours. They likely will not provide therapy, but they can potentially say something helpful to you, make a suggestion on how to cope, refer you to a professional, or something else.

Personally I think that psych classes can be helpful in understanding human behaviours and emotions but it is not a replacement for therapy. I don't think that most classes would make things worse but they also don't really help you work through individual issues.

As mentioned, it can also depend on your triggers. Some courses are more intense than others and may be difficult.

I'm doing a counselling course and finding it really helpful/enjoyable and educational.

I'll be finishing my BS in Psychology and I have found it helpful but not to replace T work. I have been in 2 groups and have 1 session with a T, it's the only way that I can finish.

It all depends on were you are at whether it is helpful or harmful. But don't give up, if that's what you want to do, then do it.