International Journal of Neurorehabilitation

The Usefulness of Attending Meaningful Occupations in the Acute Phase of Occupational Therapy for Schizophrenia Patients

Abstract

Shoichiro Minami

A patient with schizophrenia was admitted to an acute inpatient psychiatric ward due to discontinued medication use and the presentation of schizophrenia symptoms. The patient had poor understanding of the disease and corresponding medication use. During the course of hospitalization and occupational therapy intervention, it was discovered that pottery was a meaningful occupation for the patient in the past. Upon engaging in pottery during hospitalization, the patient’s attitude toward the disease and medication use changed. In continuing to engage in pottery, the patient regained self-recognition and self-compassion and came to recognize the importance of continuing medication use and maintaining physical and mental health. Study suggests that approaching schizophrenia patients by focusing on “healthy parts” centering on the meaningful occupation of the subject can be an effective mental health rehabilitation approach. This approach based on a meaningful occupation has commonality with two frameworks for mental health recovery: the 'Recovery Model' and the 'Strengths Model'. Therefore, the use of meaningful occupational therapy should be considered be part of the framework for acute phase occupational therapy of schizophrenia and mental health rehabilitation in general.