Help-utterly confused as to what an Occupational therapist can do for me...?

Question

I have PTSD and Anorexia and have been in "treatment" for around 15 years. I have been referred to an Occupational therapist, and saw her almost 2 weeks ago. I did`nt have a clue what an OT does, so asked. Her answer was "well, it`s not basket weaving". She was very nice, and asked me various questions in her assessment. I am due to seeher again in little over 24 hours, and have searched online so much to attempt to find out what to expect, but can find very little.This OT is NHS and in Scotland, and within the mental health team. I am so worried, I don`t think I can attend my next appointment, since it all seems so pointless. At the end of my last appointment, she asked me to write a list of "positive things you would like to do" and said they don`t hav to be possible, just things I`d like to do. I can`t think what to write, as I am pretty much tired of life and positivity aint really there. I mean, I do want to make whatever treatment I have work, but it`s been so (too?) long...

I am 26, and was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa age 11/12, and PTSD, I`ve been in and out of hospitals during that time, mainly due to low weight, suicide attempts and selfinjury. CBT

CBT seems to be what evryone believes in. It`s simple, and very easy to understand, but I don`t hink it`s right for everyone in every situation. However, it`s what is available, so..... I am really grateful for any and all help I am given; I know I don`t deserve it.

Answer 1

I'm not being mean but maybe you should be asking this of the OT.

Her job is to rehabilitate you as best can be in things that you do around the house. ADL's (activities of daily living) such as bathing, dressing, doing dishes, cleaning, doing wash.

Take Care

Answer 2

Yes, occupational therapists can treat morbidly obese patients. They treat patients of any size. Most do not work with morbidly obese patients everyday. But that is a possibility if you work in a specialized center for the obese or open your own practice. The first thing the occupational therapist would do is find out what the patient has difficulty with. The patient may have difficulties due to obesity, as well as difficulties due to other medical conditions like a stroke, mental illness, or Alzheimer's. Morbid obesity can make lots of every day tasks extremely difficult. An occupational therapist might recommend the patient widen the doors in their house and build a ramp or strong stair railings outside. The OT might recommend a wheelchair and teach the patient to use it. The OT could help the person figure out strategies to use the bathroom and bath independently. These might be simple things like having the patient sit on the toilet facing a different direction so they can reach down there or using a strong shower chair and flexible shower hose instead of sitting in the bathtub. The OT can also help with figuring out how to arrange furniture so that the person can get around and have company. The person may do better with hard, taller chairs so they can get up more easily than a short, soft recliner. The OT may help the person figure out where to keep their pots and pans so they do not have to bend to reach them. The OT might also help the person learn to cook in the microwave if they can't lift their arms enough to keep from getting burnt from the stove. The OT would also help the person deal with quality of life issues. They would help the person figure out hobbies and ways to socialize despite their disabilities. Do you mean how do you get into this as a person who wants OT, or as a person who wants to become an OT? If you want OT, you would need insurance or government assistance. You would ask your doctor or case manager. Becoming an occupational therapist requires a master's degree. So first you would need a bachelor's degree. Then you would apply to master's degree programs in occupational therapy. There are some schools that allow you to do your bachelor's and master's at the same time. You would need to take prerequisite courses like anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology, etc, depending on the school. You would also need to get observation hours with a current occupational therapist.

Answer 3

I am 26 also, and I have had anorexia (mentally still there) and bulimia. I was admitted once a while back which is where I met my first (actually my only ever) OT, called Ruth.

Ruth's point was basicly to fill the gap between my being a patient on a ward, to going back to the "real world" and trying to ensure I fitted in/was at a lesser chance of relapse.

OTs will help you find what keeps you going/what keeps you well, they will help you to find new things also, and will help you to begin setting goals with these in mind. Its all about finding something to stay well for.

They will also help you to reorganise your life if you are already "free" or not an inpatient They will help you work out what works and take out what doenst work, and lessen your chances of relapse.

They can also help you fit back into the community you are in again- if you werent there or were struggling in it before, things like working/having a job, being creative, giving time...etc, its your call.

Your may think it all sounds pointless, but the fact is, its unlikely there will always -if ever in some cases, be help on hand when you need it, and your community will need to be there to help you pick up the pieces.
This doesnt mean you go round telling everyone your life story, it does mean you start to carve out a steak in your own environment, something to live for.
This wont cure you by any means- or we would all be queing to see OTs as oppose to being on waiting lists for beds/treatment, but it is a part of it. and its important that you remeber that what you put into your community, is what you get back again, and you are likely to need somethibng else to live for rather than your anorexia (if yours is anything else like mine it ends up being your crutch as oppose to a strange little eccentricity).

Please go to the app, the time will be yours even if you dont go and it is a waste of everyones time if you dont- not least the time of the people who are also on the waiting list to see the OT as you have been given priority as your health is deemed worse then theirs.

Answer 4

Working with an OT is a good move... I didnt have a clue what they did until I started training as a mental health nurse and have had to train with OT's alongside other professionals involved with peoples health and social care. They are completely non-judgemental and are there to work with you at your own pace.... if you cant think of anything to write on the list then thats ok.. Just be honest with her and explain that you struggled to think of anything because you're not feeling positive at all at the moment. She will be able to just spend with you and have a chat. Once you are comfortable with her, you can maybe think of activities together. She is part of a network of professionals that are trying to help you, and its sounds as if you like her which is fantastic. Keep the next appointment and just see how it goes... remember, there is no pressure involved here. Just a willingness to see if what she can offer you more longterm can work for you :)

All the best with it :) x

Answer 5

You deserve help. 26 is young.

Well I am sitting here across the Atlantic Ocean from you and you are intelligent and educated enough to write well.

If this Occupational therapist has been nice to you why do you want to disappoint her by can

I don't know what CBT is is it Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ?. I am from USA. I was hospitalized when I was 18 because I was pushing myself very hard intellectually and physically. I went from being depressed to very manic. In occupational therapy deep down inside I realized how much I loved to do art. I got out and went back to college and a few years later changed my major to Art. I make my living doing Computer Aided Drafting you know engineering drawings.

That Occupational Therapist was a big influence in me getting back in touch with reality. Later I took a 2 semester course in British Literature and it dealt with all these deeply Religious metaphors.

Presently it sounds like you may not be being fair to yourself and Occupational Therapy may help you get a "better grasp".

Me I enjoy writing on the internet.

Reflecting back on my hospitalization experience it was a long time ago 36 years. Hospitalizations were a lot longer than. There were a lot of bored woman who had mean domineering husbands and went around going I am not to blame. I realized there were 2 kinds of patients. One kind were pushy and wanted to get on with life and get out. The other kind were lazy and so lazy they knew if they kept acting helpless long enough somebody would do their task for them. Life was going to be challenging for everyone. The people who became self reliant got on with life. Those who acted helpless got even more helpless.

Answer 6

An occupational therapist is there to provide the help and support you need to make life easier, depending on the nature of one's disability this can range from recommending adaptations to the home to arranging for attendance at self-help groups and other activities.
Her question about writing a list of positive things you'd like to do is her way of finding out what really interests you so she can decide on the best direction in which to steer you.
Hopefully you'll now see that what seems so pointless isn't really and you've now got someone who wants to help you find some pleasure in life.

Answer 7

When I had an appointment with the OT I had, it was mainly walking to a shop buying food and doing a cooking presentation. I also understand housework, personal hygiene, and language therapies are part of it as well.

Answer 8

My guess is she is doing some form of Cognitive Therapy.
She is trying to get you to work through some habits you may have.

If you are willing to work on your problems, she is offering you some homework to help speed your recovery.

So do the homework and ask her what her plan is. She needs to tell you.

If she gives you a flippant answer then point out that you need a serious one or you can not work with her.


http://themeaningisyou.com

Answer 9

They are there to help you. You are obviously not happy. Go to your next appointment and tell her you can't think of anyhting. It is better to be honest about it than write some half arsed list of things you actually don't care if you do or not.

Things may be going badly at the moment but you have to accept that someday tou will feel better.

hope that might help.

Answer 10

2