ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST TO PERSONS WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA: REPORTS OF EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Eating disorders are a subject of interest for health professionals because of their significant degrees of morbidity, mortality, and personal and social impairment.Since 1999, the occupational therapist of the Mental Health Inter-Consultation Service of the University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto-USP, has been providing assistance to patient with eating disorders admitted to the hospital. In most cases, this assistance is extended to the relatives and to the hospital team in order to perform joint and complementary actions in the various conflict situations. The clientele predominantly consists of adolescent and young women with signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa, most of them having difficulty in organizing and performing daily living activities due to clinical, emotional and social impairment. These patients frequently present a restricted daily life, with absence from work, difficulty with interpersonal relationships and with daily activities and, in serious cases, with full detachment from their social and professional roles. On the basis of its field of knowledge and of its assistance, occupational therapy for persons with anorexia nervosa provides a space for experience and discussion regarding the conflicts related to a distorted body image, helps with the recovery of capacities and skills that have been lost or have not been developed along life, and motivates a participant, creative and more independent attitude mainly focused on the development of social participation and on the organization of daily activities.