Question

Sarah, a young woman with schizophrenia who has struggled with hygiene and other activities of daily living, has been on a 4-hour pass. She tearfully reports that on the bus back to the hospital, the woman she sat down next to immediately moved to another seat. Which response(s) would most likely be therapeutic?

A) Explore Sarah's feelings about the bus incident
B) Dismiss Sarah's concerns as irrational
C) Advise Sarah to avoid public transportation
D) Reassure Sarah that people are often inconsiderate

Answer 1

A therapeutic approach to exploring Sarah's feelings about her experience on the bus is most likely to be beneficial. Incorporating social skills training, applied behavior analysis, occupational therapy, and appropriate medication can help improve her social interactions and daily living activities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response to Sarah, a young woman with schizophrenia who has struggled with activities of daily living and has had a negative experience on public transportation, would be to explore Sarah's feelings about the bus incident. Engaging in a therapeutic conversation to understand her emotional response and providing supportive feedback can be a crucial step in her treatment. It is an opportunity to address the social difficulties individuals with schizophrenia may face and to work on building social communication groups or social skills groups. These therapeutic approaches can help Sarah to interpret social cues and interactions more effectively.

Another aspect to consider is the integration of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which may assist Sarah in developing better coping mechanisms and hygiene practices, thus potentially reducing the likelihood of negative social experiences. Additionally, depending on her specific needs, occupational therapy and medication options might be important to discuss with Sarah's treatment team to support her overall well-being and improve her functional outcomes.