Professional paper

Role of the occupational therapist in schizophrenia patients rehabilitation

Saša Radić ; Dobrotvorno udruženje "Dobrobit", Švarcova 20, 10000 Zagreb
Dijana Škrbina ; Zdravstveno veleučilište Zagreb, Studij radne terapije

Abstract

Mental health is an essential factor for active and independent functioning in all aspects of life. Mental health disorders significantly impair daily life and cause imbalance in three areas of human occupation; selfcare, productivity and leisure. Selection, organization and active participation in the productive activities of an individual with mental health problems are significantly restricted and/or disabled. This is due to reduced motivation in satisfying productive role requirements, reduced capability of dealing with everyday problems, poor social skills, reduced insight into one’s own condition and mental illness stigma which impairs the relationship between the working environment and the individual. Schizophrenia patients’ treatment is of great importance to psychosocial rehabilitation. sychosocial rehabilitation includes education of patients and families about the disease, plan to prevent recurrence, social skills’ training, problem solving strategies, self-control techniques and self-direction, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, employment programs, various forms of recreational and creative therapies, all with the goal of building skills for everyday life and work, successful social (re) integration, or inclusion, which prevents and/or reduces theburden on individuals and society as a whole. Additional significance of this intervention is the fact that these diseases occur at the beginning of the patient’s working career, so this approach is of great importance for the rest of their lives. Of all mental health disorders, schizophrenia is associated with the greatest stigma
and discrimination, therefore, the purpose of this study provides insight into the work and therapeutic intervention in the process of psychosocial rehabilitation of persons suffering from schizophrenia. The psychosocial rehabilitation description experience was conducted within the project "Accept differences reject the prejudices” by the "Happy Family" Association, Popovača, Croatia. Although interventions have proved to be successful in the initial stages of implementation, there remains room for further scientific and
technical thinking and research that would indicate the reasons for a broader application of the above concepts in the Croatian context.

Keywords

psychosocial rehabilitation; occupational therapy; schizophrenia; productive activities

Hrčak ID:

70327

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/70327

Publication date:

6.7.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 8.771 *