Occupational therapy uses goal-oriented activities to treat psychological, physical, and developmental disabilities. Its goal is to help patients achieve a healthy balance of occupations through skill development to function satisfactorily. Occupational therapy is provided in various settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools to children, adults, and elderly. Activities can be diversional like games or therapeutic like basket weaving to meet care plan goals. The occupational therapy process involves evaluation, goal-setting, treatment planning, implementation, review, and modifying goals as needed. Suggested activities depend on the psychiatric disorder and aim to enhance skills, expression, and self-esteem with structured short tasks.

1. OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY
PREPARED BY
Mrs. Divya Pancholi
M.Sc. (Psychiatric Nursing)
Assistant Professor
SSRCN, Vapi

3. DEFINITION
■Occupational therapy is the application
of goal-oriented, purposeful activity in
the assessment and treatment of
individuals with psychological, physical
or developmental disabilities.

4. GOAL
■To enable the patient to
achieve a healthy balance
of occupations through the
development of skills that
will allow him to function
at a level satisfactory to
himself and others.

5. SETTINGS
■ Occupational therapy is provided to children, adolescents,
adults and elderly patients.
■ These programs are offered in
 psychiatric hospitals,
 nursing homes,
 rehabilitation centers,
 special schools,
 community group homes,
 community mental health centers,
 halfway homes and
 de addiction centers.

7. TYPES OF ACTIVITIES
DIVERSIONAL
ACTIVITIES
THERAPEUTIC
ACTIVITIES

8. ■ Diversional activities: These activities are used
to divert one’s thoughts from life stresses or to
fill time. For example, organized games.

9. ■ Therapeutic activities: These activities are used
to attain a specific care plan or goal. For example,
basket making, carpentry etc.

11. PROCESS
OF
INTERVENTION

12. It consist of six stages:
1. Initial evaluation of what patient can do and cannot do in a variety of situations over a period of time
2. Development of immediate and long-term goals by the patient and therapist together. Goals should be
concrete and measurable to that it is easy to see when they have been attained.
3. Development of therapy plan with planned intervention.
4. Implementation of the plan and monitoring the progress.The plan is followed until the first evaluation. If
found satisfactory it is continued and altered, if not.
5. Review meetings with patient and all the staff involved in treatment.
6. Setting further goals when immediate goals have been achieved, modifying the treatment program as
relevant.

13. SUGGESTED OCCUPATIONAL
ACTIVIES FOR PSYCHAITRIC
DISORDERS

14. SR
NO
DISORDERS TYPE OF ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
1 Anxiety
disorder
Simple concrete tasks with no more than 3
or 4 steps that can be learnt quickly.
Kitchen tasks, washing,
sweeping, mowing lawn and
weeding gardens
2 Depressive
disorder
Simple concrete tasks which are achievable.
It is important for the patient to experience
success. Provide positive reinforcement after
each achievement.
Crafts, mowing lawn,
weeding gardens
3 Manic
disorder
Non-competitive activities that allow the use
of energy and expression of feelings.
Activities should be limited and changed
frequently. Patient needs to work in an area
away from distractions.
Raking grass, sweeping

15. SR
NO
DISORDERS TYPE OF ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
4 Schizophrenia
(paranoid)
Non-competitive solitary meaningful
tasks that require some degree of
concentration so that less time is
available to focus on delusions.
Puzzles, scrabble
5 Schizophrenia
(catatonic)
Simple concrete tasks in which patient is
actively involved. Patient needs
continuous supervision, and a first works
best on a one to one basis.
Metal work, molding clay
6 Antisocial
personality
Activities that enhance self-esteem and
are expressive and creative but not too
complicated. Patient needs supervision to
make sure each task is complicated.
Leather work, painting

16. SR
NO
DISORDERS TYPE OF ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
7 Dementia Group activities to increase feeling of belonging
and self-worth. Provide those activities which
promote familiar individual hobbies. Activities
need to be structured, requiring little time for
completion and not much concentration.
Explain and demonstrate each task, then have
patient repeat the demonstration
Cover making, packing goods
8 Substance abuse Group activities in which patient uses his
talents.
Planning social activities, encouraging
interaction with others
9 Childhood and
adolescent
disorders
Children: playing, storytelling, painting, poetry,
music
Adolescents: creative activities such as leather
work, drawing, painting
Mental retardation: repetitive work assignments
are ideal. Provide positive reinforcement after
each achievement. E.g. cover making, candle
making, packaging goods

17. ADVANTAGES
■Helps to develop social skills and
provide an outlet for self-expression.
■Strengthens ego defenses.
■Develops a more realistic view of the
self in relation to others.

18. POINTSTO BE KEPT IN MIND
■ The patient should be involved as much as possible in
selecting activity.
■ Select an activity that interests or has the potential to
interest him.
■ The activity should utilize the patient’s strengths and
abilities.
■ The activity should be of short to foster a feeling of
accomplishment.
■ If possible, the selected activity should provide some
new experience for the patient.