Recovery: The Concept
The concept of recovery, while quite common in the field of physical illness and disability (Wright, 1983), has heretofore received little attention in both practice and research with people who have a severe and persistent mental illness (Spaniol, 1991). The concept of recovery from physical illness and disability does not mean that the suffering has disappeared, all the symptoms removed, and/or the functioning completely restored (Harrison, 1984). For example, a person with paraplegia can recover even though the spinal cord has not. Similarly, a person with mental illness can recover even though the illness is not “cured.”
The concept of recovery, while quite common in the field of physical illness and disability (Wright, 1983), has heretofore received little attention in both practice and research with people who have a severe and persistent mental illness (Spaniol, 1991). The concept of recovery from physical illness and disability does not mean that the suffering has disappeared, all the symptoms removed, and/or the functioning completely restored (Harrison, 1984). For example, a person with paraplegia can recover even though the spinal cord has not. Similarly, a person with mental illness can recover even though the illness is not “cured.”
In the mental health field, the emerging concept of recovery has been introduced and is most often discussed in the writings of consumers/survivors/clients (Anonymous, 1989; Deegan, 1988; Houghton, 1982; Leete, 1989; McDermott, 1990; Unzicker, 1989). Recovery is described as a deeply personal, unique process of changing one’s attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills, and/or roles. It is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful, and contributing life even with limitations caused by illness. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in one’s life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness.
Recovery from mental illness involves much more than recovery from the illness itself. People with mental illness may have to recover from the stigma they have incorporated into their very being; from the iatrogenic effects of treatment settings; from lack of recent opportunities for self-determination; from the negative side effects of unemployment; and from crushed dreams. Recovery is often a complex, time-consuming process.
Recovery is what people with disabilities do. Treatment, case management, and rehabilitation are what helpers do to facilitate recovery (Anthony, 1991). Interestingly, the recovery experience is not an experience that is foreign to services personnel. Recovery transcends illness and the disability field itself. Recovery is a truly unifying human experience.
Recovery from mental illness involves much more than recovery from the illness itself. People with mental illness may have to recover from the stigma they have incorporated into their very being; from the iatrogenic effects of treatment settings; from lack of recent opportunities for self-determination; from the negative side effects of unemployment; and from crushed dreams. Recovery is often a complex, time-consuming process.
Recovery is what people with disabilities do. Treatment, case management, and rehabilitation are what helpers do to facilitate recovery (Anthony, 1991). Interestingly, the recovery experience is not an experience that is foreign to services personnel. Recovery transcends illness and the disability field itself. Recovery is a truly unifying human experience.
Because all people (helpers included) experience the catastrophes of life (death of a loved one, divorce, the threat of severe physical illness, and disability), the challenge of recovery must be faced. Successful recovery from a catastrophe does not change the fact that the experience has occurred, that the effects are still present, and that one’s life has changed forever. Successful recovery does mean that the person has changed, and that the meaning of these facts to the person has therefore changed. They are no longer the primary focus of one’s life. The person moves on to other interests and activities.
