"Full recovery" from schizophrenia in the long term: a ten-year follow-up of eight former schizophrenic patients.
The present study reports longitudinal data on individuals who ten years ago were fully recovered from a previously diagnosed schizophrenia. Seven out of ten subjects consented and were reexamined at the present follow-up, and data on an eighth subject was secured elsewhere. A semistructured interview was used to examine psychosocial functioning of the subjects in the follow-up period. Out of the six subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia, only three subjects were still fully recovered; one had a deteriorating course and two had a fluctuating course of illness. The results from the study indicate that recovery from schizophrenia may take the form of time-limited remissions for half of the reexamined subjects when strict criteria for full recovery are used. Protective factors such as willpower, a (partly) intact capacity for object attachment, and a supportive family may be important prerequisites for recovery. Two different courses of schizophrenia are illustrated by cases.
Torgalsbøen
A K
AK
Institute of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway.
Rund
B R
BR
D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support