Occupational Therapy and Psychosocial Dysfunction

This insightful book offers readers effective strategies and occupational therapy methods for working with psychosocial dysfunction. Through detailed descriptions from experienced occupational therapists who work with a wide range of populations, readers will gain a first-hand glimpse into the evaluation and treatment of psychosocial dysfunction.

Occupational Therapy and Psychosocial Dysfunction serves as a vehicle for communication among clinicians as well as an introduction to theory and practice for OT students. Important topics that are covered include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse, nontraditional intervention, and methods for the education of occupational therapy students.

This text provides readers with a comprehensive view of OT practice in psychosocial dysfunction. It emphasizes case studies to spark lively discussion and descriptions of programs and specific treatment activities that provide fieldwork students with concrete ideas to try, as well as the theoretical rationale underlying those treatment activities. Readers will find practical guidelines for occupational therapy with many populations including:

• survivors of sexual abuse
• veterans suffering from combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• substance abusers and alcoholics
• anorexics and bulimics
• individuals with narcissistic personality disorder
• people awaiting pulmonary transplants
• children with behavior disorders
• people with AIDS
  
  Authoritative contributors share programmatic ideas and communication about day-to-day treatment and assessment methods. Some of the intriguing strategies introduced by this practical guide include an intervention strategy based on a model of human occupation and object relations theory, use of a group process to enable patients to regain control of their lives, treatment strategies based on neurocognitive deficits, a neurophysiological model of schizophrenia etiology, and leadership therapy. Occupational therapy students, practicing clinicians, and academics will gain new insights with this practical volume that spans the concerns and issues related to occupational therapy practice and psychosocial dysfunction.