Re: Psych vs. Phys Dys

[Mike]

In my case, laziness and opting for the easy route: It seems relatively easy to get visible, positive results in phys dis, whereas I was never quite sure if I was getting a result when I did clinical placements in psych. When I do a community Phys Dis visit, I can teach new techniques, provide adaptive equipment or adapt the environment and get a noticeable positive result in just a few visits, but the psych work seemed to me to be much more long term with more likelihood of relapse (the 'revolving door' syndrome). Also, without intending to be judgemental or negative, physically disabled people seemed easier company than people with mental health problems. They tend to know what their priority problems are and self advocate more effectively, which makes my job easier (well, most of the time). These are huge generalisations, of course.

Added to that, it just suited me better as I tend to like practical, rational challenges rather than the more emotive, inchoate issues often encountered in psych. I have a lot of respect for the work that psych OTs do, though, and I suspect they are often better OTs than many PD OTs as it's easier for us to be less holistic and we have to constantly remind ourselves to do the stuff that Psych OTs do every day.

Mike
(Community Phys Dis, London, UK)
http://www.otdirect.co.uk

On Thursday, Dec 5, 2002, at 11:20 Europe/London, Erwin Andrew R. Torres wrote:

Hi! I'm just wondering, why is it that almost every OT students that I
know wants to pursue an OT career in physical dysfuntion settings rather
than in the psychiatric setting? And as for the professionals, i just
wanted to know some personal insights.

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