A intervenção da terapia ocupacional em pacientes adultos com esquizofrenia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects cognitive, affective, and social functions, requiring a broad and integrated therapeutic approach. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the importance of Occupational Therapy intervention in adult patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. METHODOLOGY: Literature review with a qualitative approach, based on searches in databases such as Google Scholar, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), CAPES Journal Portal, and PubMed, in addition to direct consultations in journals: Revista de Terapia Ocupacional da Universidade de São Paulo, Cadernos de Terapia Ocupacional, and Revista Interinstitucional Brasileira de Terapia Ocupacional. The following Health Sciences Descriptors were used: schizophrenia, occupational therapy, public policies. The search was limited to articles published between 2013 and 2024, written in Portuguese, and aligned with the research objectives. RESULTS: The results showed that Occupational Therapy, through the use of meaningful activities, promotes functionality, autonomy, and social reintegration of individuals, acting both in strengthening cognitive and motor skills and in building interpersonal bonds. Strategies such as therapeutic workshops, individual sessions, and daily life activities proved to be effective in the psychosocial rehabilitation process. The study also highlighted challenges such as the shortage of adequate public policies, lack of resources in services, and social stigma. CONCLUSION: Occupational Therapy plays an essential role in promoting the quality of life of people with schizophrenia, emphasizing the need to strengthen mental health policies and to value the role of occupational therapists within the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS).