Kavita, a 45-year-old teacher in Bengaluru, has had repeated episodes of depression. Along with her medicines, her doctor suggests a yoga centre. There she learns a rapid breathing technique that induces hyperventilation. She also practises a meditation in which she holds no fixed object or thought; she passively observes the bodily sensations and thoughts passing through her awareness. Her relative Sunil has schizophrenia. Medicines have reduced his hallucinations, but he still shows disinterest and lack of motivation to work or to meet people. At a day centre he is now taught candle making, paper bag making and weaving, so that he can form a work discipline.
The training Sunil receives at the day centre is known as:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → occupational therapy
Option (1) vocational training — Incorrect. Vocational training comes after the patient improves sufficiently. It gives the skills needed for productive employment, whereas Sunil is still learning simple tasks to build a work habit.
Option (2) social skills training — Incorrect. Social skills training builds interpersonal skills through role play, imitation and instruction, so that the patient can function in a social group. Sunil's tasks are work skills.
Option (3) occupational therapy — Correct. Sunil still has negative symptoms, so he needs rehabilitation. In occupational therapy, patients learn skills such as candle making, paper bag making and weaving to form a work discipline. This is Sunil's training.
Option (4) cognitive retraining — Incorrect. Cognitive retraining improves basic cognitive functions such as attention, memory and executive functions. Candle making and weaving do not train these functions.
NCERT (2026-27): “REHABILITATION OF THE MENTALLY ILL … |