TEMP - Midterm short answers

Question 1

How major mental disorders effect performance of occupation?

Answer 1

1) Anxiety: low attention span, need to move, fear of unfamiliar
2) Depression: need for success/self-control, more motivated by helping others, prefers familiar, simple activity, less stimulation/less choice
3) Mania: low focus, need to move, short-term activities, simplicity, easily distracted/hard to control
4) Hallucinations: need for calm, low stimulation, prefer social, needs structure/short-term activities
5) Delusions: keep attention on activity/reality, stimulation, avoid topics relating to delusion
6) Paranoia: need space/patience, reliable environment, controllable activities
7) Aggression: may need isolation, avoid touching/contact, avoid dangerous objects, simple activities (low frustration)
8) Seductive Behavior: avoid crowds/physical contact, use forceful gross motor, reinforce appropriate behavior
9) Negative Neurocog. Behavior: avoid startling/stressing, distract with positives/familiar activities, sensory stimulation
10) Cognitive Deficits: keep simple/label things, familiarity, simple choices, modify known instead of introducing new
11) Attention Deficits: limit distractions/supplies, social interaction helps, simple/definite activity, match activity to cognition

Question 2

Define Symptom; how they are guides

Answer 2

Symptom: behaviors that show that a disease/abnormal state is causing the person to act this way. May be visible behavior or subjective feelings reported by client. Symptoms are not the disease!
• Help identify unmet needs or conflicts
• Are the way the person deals with anxiety
• Impair functioning in predictable ways, showing where person may be having difficulty
• May be response to event or environment (also clues to help person)

Question 3

Response variables

Answer 3

Tools OTA uses to help someone behaving oddly/ uncomfortably to function the best they can. We can change them to meet the individual’s needs.

1) Self (therapeutic use of); how to talk/act with client
2) Environment; context modified for client
3) Activity; what is done together, chosen for person

Question 4

Role of OTA in promoting wellness/self-management of symptoms

Answer 4

Helping develop lifestyle of physical and psychological balance to reduce symptoms. Develop a wellness recovery action plan:
• list daily maintenance (routines/activities)
• list personal triggers and ways to respond
• list early warning signs, ways to respond
• ways to recognize worsening symptoms, ways to respond
• crisis plan or advance directive
• productivity
• participation in meaningful activity

Question 5

Why mental disorders make safety considerations important?

Answer 5

• client may harm themselves or others
• may be suicidal or self-mutilating
• may have history of violence
• may be confused/careless
• safety education/training can improve client’s functional independence in community

Question 6

How OTA can help client on psychiatric medications

Answer 6

• Observe closely/regularly
• Notice effects of meds on functional level
• Communicate findings with doc to adjust dose
• Adapt activities to enable success despite side effects
• Educate client on med effects
• Listen to complaints about med; encourage adherence
• Provide recommendations for adjustments to routine/environment

Question 7

MAS Moments

Answer 7

“Mindfully Adjusting States”

You will often work with clients who are having difficulty staying alert (under-aroused), or calming down (over-aroused). These are quick and easy “pocket tools,” things you can do to help them regulate into a “just-right” zone. You are purposefully/consciously/mindfully facilitating a state adjustment. Ideas include guided meditations, visualizations, affirmations, movements, etc.

Question 8

Temporary vs. Permanent Cognitive Deficits

Answer 8

Temporary/Transitory: Give simple, structured, short-term activity (1 day preferred); reintroduce to known roles/skills

Permanent: If STABLE, teach ways to adapt activities/simplify the familiar; If PROGRESSIVE, help maintain skills as long as possible, encourage independence, familiar/necessary activities

Question 9

Psychiatric disorders and how they affect performance of occupations

Answer 9

Neurodevelopmental: Affect learning/skill development, social functioning, perceptual-motor deficits

Schizophrenia: Social interaction, behavioral issues, ADL issues, executive function issues

Bipolar: Cognitive issues, behavior issues, symptom/med effects

Depressive: ADL/IADL deficiencies, impaired function with school/work, interpersonal relationships

Anxiety: High stress, stimulus-specific fears

Obsessive-Compulsive Related: Body dysmorphia, hoarding, trichotillomania/excoriation

Trauma/Stressor Related: Sensory processing issues, emotional triggers, substance abuse

Feeding/Eating Disorders: Self esteem/assertiveness issues, food issues

Substance Abuse/Addictions: Need to fill new leisure time, cognitive/perceptual issues, social skills, need for new roles/occupations

Neurocognitive: Declining function, need for roles/routines, memory, judgment, social/emotional skills

Personality: Need for psychoeducation, social skills, societal role, aggressiveness