title: The existential way to recovery.
abstract: This paper explores the essential features of recovery and the need for an existential approach in psychiatry. The biopsychosocial model often fails to sufficiently validate the existential suffering of patients. We review the major principles of recovery and the philosophical and psychiatric principles of existentialism. The ontological or intrinsic existential issues of death, isolation, freedom and meaninglessness are described and their manifestations are explored in clinical syndromes. When ultimate existential concerns are recognised, patients have an opportunity to understand their life on a deeper level that is not defined as a medical disorder but as a part of human existence. Understanding that existential concerns underlie a great deal of human behaviour helps to free patients from the stigma of psychiatric labels. An existential approach is a humanistic way toward recovery.
authors.affiliation: University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Auckland District Health Board Manaaki House Community Mental Health Centre, 15 Pleasant View Rd, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand. LaurieJo.Moore@adhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Laurie Jo
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Mila
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goldner-Vukov
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001364:Awareness; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005086:Existentialism; D005610:Freedom; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009042:Motivation; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011340:Problem Solving; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012933:Social Identification; D012934:Social Isolation; D012941:Social Responsibility