Psychiatric rehabilitation

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Psychiatric rehabilitation involves the improvement and restoration of functioning and wellbeing of an individual with a psychiatric disability (mental disorder). Rehabilitation work undertaken by psychiatrists seeks to effect changes in a person's environment and in a person's ability to deal with their environment, so as to factiliate improvement in symptoms or personal distress. There is often a focus on social skills and daily functioning, as well as challenging stigma and prejudice to enable social inclusion. There is often an ethos of working collaboratively and seeking to empower clients.

1 History
2 Theory
3 Services
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] History

From the 1960s and 1970s, the process of deinstitutionalization meant that many more individuals with mental health problems were able to live in their communities rather than being confined to mental institutions. Medication and psychotherapy were the two major treatment approaches, with little attention given to supporting and facilitating daily functioning and social interaction. Therapeutic interventions often had little impact on daily living, socialization and work opportunities. There were often barriers to social inclusion in the form of stigma and prejudice. Psychiatric rehabilitation work emerged with the aim of helping the community integration and independence of individuals with mental health problems. More recently it has conflicted with or merged with similar approaches originating in the Consumer/Survivor Movement.

[edit] Theory

The concept of psychiatric rehabiliation is associated with social psychiatry and is based on a medical model of disability and the concept of mental illness. However, it can also incorporate elements of a social model of disability. A similar but sometimes alternative approach employs the concept of recovery rather than rehabilitation.

Problems experienced by people with psychiatric disabilities are thought to include difficulties understanding or dealing with interpersonal situations (e.g., misinterpreting social cues, not knowing how to respond), prejudice or bullying from others because they may seem different, problems coping with stress (including daily hassles such as travel or shopping), difficulty concentrating and finding energy and motivation.

[edit] Services

Psychiatric rehabilitation services may include: supported accomodation, supported employment or education, social firms, assertive community (or outreach) teams assisting with social service agencies, medication management, housing, employment, family issues, coping skills and activities of daily living and socialising.