Personality disorder integrated care pathway
What is it:
Occupational Therapy is concerned with enabling individuals to live more productive and enjoyable lives in vocation, employment, social interactions and leisure, through the use of purposeful activities. The occupational therapist usually works as part of a multi-disciplinary team and can contribute to the overall care plan of individuals referred to the team. Each person is assessed individually, goals are identified together and a programme of activities is planned collaboratively. The individual is asked to identify outcomes which are
measurable to enable interventions to be evaluated, for example: “I want to be able to join an evening class”, “I will be able to discuss my feelings with my partner”, “I want to be able to do my own shopping and cooking” or, “I want to get an interesting job”. Activity programmes are reviewed regularly and adapted as necessary.
Activity is at the core of occupational therapy practice. If the therapist cannot engage the client in activity that has meaning and value for him, then there can be no meaningful assessment and no treatment implementation. Engagement is achieved by involving the client at all stages of the treatment process, by understanding what will motivate the individual, and by establishing an expectation that clients attending occupational therapy will be active in their own treatment processes. The activity must be purposeful and achievable for the person and take place in settings relevant for that person. Activities can take place on a 1:1 basis, in a group, or in both settings.
Summary of activity functions:
- Activity is essential for the normal development of the individual. Without activity no personal development can take place, and inability to perform activities competently leads to a maladaptive development.
- People use activity to explore the environment and to test their own position in it.
- We become embedded in our social and cultural context through activity.
- Activity helps to build a healthy personal and social identity.
- Activity is intrinsically satisfying.
- Activity is used to learn and practice skills that can be used for occupational performance.
- People are able to adapt to changing circumstances through activity.
- The individual can construct purpose and meaning in his life and gratify his needs through activity.
- Relationships with others can be made through shared activity.
Who is it for:
OT is for anyone who wants to overcome physical, psychological or social problems arising from illness or disability. The person needs to be motivated to identify goals and to engage in activities.
Who is it not for:
As OT requires active participation for it to be effective, it will not work if the person is not ready to become involved in trying activities.
How can it be accessed:
OTs work in hospitals and in the community. Within mental health services, they are based in CMHTs (Community Mental Health Teams). A referral from a GP, psychiatrist or other worker is required. Self-referrals can be made in some teams and the person’s GP would be made aware.