title: Hearing their voices: The lived experience of recovery from first-episode psychosis in schizophrenia in South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recovery was previously regarded as a somewhat unattainable goal, and the subjective experience was de-emphasised. Lately, the person and his or her experiences are emphasised.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven participants were interviewed regarding their experience of recovery from first-episode psychosis in schizophrenia. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Support and having to care for another are possibly the greatest contributors to their recovery. Spirituality plays an important role. Stigma, found to be ingrained and pervasive, could be a barrier to recovery. The rediscovery by the participants of their abilities (re)introduced a sense of agency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The narrative in the process of recovery is crucial.
authors.affiliation: Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
authors.forename: Anneliese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Wet
authors.affiliation: Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa lswartz@sun.ac.za.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Swartz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
authors.forename: Bonginkosi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chiliza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063545:Personal Narratives as Topic; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012931:Social Environment; D057545:Social Stigma; D013019:South Africa
keywords: Schizophrenia; South Africa; first-episode psychosis; interpretative phenomenological analysis; lived experience; recovery