Empirical Evidence for Recovery
Despite the pessimistic culture within psychiatry which flowed on to inform societal expectations and ultimately those of the afflicted individual and his or her family, there is a growing literature surrounding the notion of recovery from schizophrenia.
The concept of recovery started gaining momentum in the 1980s, when people with schizophrenia began publishing accounts of their recovery. These accounts revealed that many had managed to overcome the problems imposed by the illness and went on to enjoy a full and meaningful life. Influential consumer advocates have been working towards breaking down the notion that schizophrenia necessarily has a long-term deteriorating course, for example, Curtis (2000), Deegan (1997), Fisher (1994), Frese (2000) and Schmook (1996). Autobiographical evidence of a more positive outlook for schizophrenia is supported by a number of quantitative studies, including longitudinal and cross-cultural studies of outcome.
Despite the pessimistic culture within psychiatry which flowed on to inform societal expectations and ultimately those of the afflicted individual and his or her family, there is a growing literature surrounding the notion of recovery from schizophrenia.
The concept of recovery started gaining momentum in the 1980s, when people with schizophrenia began publishing accounts of their recovery. These accounts revealed that many had managed to overcome the problems imposed by the illness and went on to enjoy a full and meaningful life. Influential consumer advocates have been working towards breaking down the notion that schizophrenia necessarily has a long-term deteriorating course, for example, Curtis (2000), Deegan (1997), Fisher (1994), Frese (2000) and Schmook (1996). Autobiographical evidence of a more positive outlook for schizophrenia is supported by a number of quantitative studies, including longitudinal and cross-cultural studies of outcome.
