Recovery and wellness amidst schizophrenia: definitions, evidence, and the implications for clinical practice

Emerging evidence from longitudinal studies has suggested that many with schizophrenia can meaningfully recover over time. Recovery, though, is not a uniform process but varies from person to person and can involve a range of different experiences including the attainment of psychosocial milestones, the remission of symptoms, and changes in self-experience or personal narrative. To address the issue of recovery from schizophrenia, this article reviews currently evolving definitions of recovery and possible ways to understand recovery as involving both an objective and two subjective dimensions. Emerging operational definitions are explored and then empirical research is reviewed regarding actual rates and forms of recovery. It is concluded that although many with schizophrenia experience significant challenges linked with illness over time, more people than not experience meaningful periods of relative wellness. Implications for how daily practice can reinforce and promote recovery are discussed.