title: Self-Compassion and Self-Criticism in Recovery in Psychosis: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To increase understanding of the internal processes of recovery in psychosis, with particular consideration given to self-compassion and self-criticism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative data were collected by semistructured interviews, from 10 participants with psychosis, and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five superordinate themes emerged: (a) "my mind can't take the load": the "curse" of psychosis; (b) the "trap" of self-criticism; (c) "coming to terms" with psychosis in my life to "move on"; (d) "on my own two feet"; and (e) "an opportunity" for growth. The themes included a reciprocal relationship between psychosis and self-criticism, processes of acceptance, empowerment, and posttraumatic growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The internal process of self-to-self relating contributed to 2 maintenance cycles: self-criticism maintained distressing experiences of psychosis and compassionate self-acceptance resulted in empowered action and promoted recovery and growth. The dual process of acceptance and change in relationship to self was central to recovery.
authors.affiliation: The Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training (OXICPT), Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital.
authors.forename: Felicity
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Waite
authors.affiliation: The Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training (OXICPT), Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital.|Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Matthew T D
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.affiliation: Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004645:Empathy / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: acceptance; growth; interpretative phenomenological analysis; psychosis; qualitative; recovery; self-compassion; self-criticism; stigma