Maintenance of recovery from schizophrenia at 20-year follow-up: what happened?
The present study reports longitudinal data on individuals who 20-years ago were fully recovered from previously diagnosed schizophrenia. Four subjects from the original sample consented and were interviewed at the present follow-up; data on two more subjects were secured elsewhere. A semistructured interview, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and Connor and Davidsons Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used to examine the psychosocial functioning and resilience of the subjects in the follow-up period. Out of the six subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia, two subjects were still fully recovered, one was recovered, one was in remission, one had a deteriorating course of illness, and one was deceased. The results indicate that full recovery was maintained for nearly half of the reexamined subjects when a criterion-based definition of full recovery is used. Good personality and attitudinal approaches (resilience) seem to play a role in sustaining recovery.
Torgalsbøen
Anne-Kari
AK
Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. a.k.torgalsboen@psykologi.uio.no
Rund
Bjørn Rishovd
BR
D001294:Attitude to Health; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010552:Personality Assessment; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology