In this article we talk about an approach that helps many people with psychological disorders, psychosocial rehabilitation has become important in treatments that help patients manage their symptoms, which implies a noticeable improvement in their adaptability.
Psychosocial rehabilitation is a very useful part of comprehensive and holistic treatment programs, promotes recovery, promotes community integration and significantly improves the quality of life of those who benefit from it.
- The main objective of this therapeutic strategy is the development of skills and the identification of forces.
- All of which improves the capacities of people who have undergone psychological change.
Patients diagnosed as chronic can resume their life, work and relationships.
Until the 1970s, people with serious mental illnesses were institutionalized, today we are working against the stigmatization of these people, the idea is that they can live more independently, away from prejudice and fully integrated into the communities in which they live.
Psychosocial rehabilitation is, in fact, a process whose objective is the complete recovery of the person, focuses on the training and development of coping skills of the problems he faces.
Just as each person is unique and individual, psychosocial rehabilitation works on individualized programs, helping patients find new meanings for their lives, as well as hope and personal growth.
Methods may vary, but the main interventions are raising awareness of the disease, developing cognitive skills, support, training and the work and leisure environment.
Many people are not fully aware of their illness. In psychosocial rehabilitation, people learn to recognize the symptoms of their condition, seek help when they detect it, and follow some of the behavior patterns of self-care.
Cognitive skills training is another strength of psychosocial rehabilitation and focuses on attention and concentration, classification, planning and memory techniques.
The programmes are also aimed at the development of social, family and professional skills.
Mental health professionals working in this area are the ones who help and guide patients on the basis of basic principles.
They believe that everyone has a potential that can be developed and works mostly in each other’s strengths. In addition, all patients have the right to self-determination.
More emphasis is placed on the strengths of the individual than on their symptoms and on the fact that each person’s needs are different.
This type of therapy works on different aspects of the individual to help him develop his or her skills. Social skills, self-esteem, problem solving, resilience and stress management are particularly improved skills in psychosocial rehabilitation.
In the professional field, psychosocial rehabilitation professionals understand that people significantly improve their social bonds when they feel productive, which increases self-esteem and improves overall quality of life.
In this sense, personalized plans are developed to help the patient regain their professional life.
Housing and social relations are also part of psychosocial rehabilitation programs, which aim to make these people able to live in their own homes, individually or familyly, as well as accommodation in shared housing.
Training in social skills related to emotional understanding, verbal skills and nonverbal communication allows patients whose relationships have been altered as a result of their mental illness to regain a sense of belonging and meet their socialization needs.
There is a good amount of accumulated scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of these treatments and their beneficial effects in people with a psychological disorder that weakens or decreases their quality of life.
It is a proven approach in many countries around the world
In serious disorders such as schizophrenia, psychosocial rehabilitation is essential to recover areas of the patient, such as social functioning, professional recovery and the enjoyment of an independent life.