Occupational therapists are now accepted and valued members of the multidisciplinary team in psychiatric hospitals and community facilities. The role and relevance of the occupational therapist is featured regularly in the treatment, management and rehabilitation sections of modern psychiatric textbooks. This position has not been lightly attained. It represents a lengthy process of incorporating the ancient origins of treatment of mental disorders through occupation, work, exercise, recreation and leisure, and transforming them into the present foundation of the profession. The article, which is intended as a descriptive development of the evolvement of the profession rather than providing a critical appraisal of occupational therapy, reviews this transition.
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