[Severe mental disorders: cure? What an idea!]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Clinical Psychology
• Health Economics

Background:

• Severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, present ongoing challenges in treatment assessment and management.
• The chronicity of these conditions incurs significant human and economic costs.
• Patient and caregiver perceptions of illness and curability influence treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for severe mental disorders.
• To explore the concept of recovery in the context of chronic mental illness.
• To investigate the role of patient-centered care in improving outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of treatment efficacy for severe mental disorders.
• Qualitative assessment of patient and caregiver representations of illness.
• Exploration of patient autonomy and co-constructed future planning.

Main Results:

• Many patients report improved subjective quality of life despite the chronic nature of their illness.
• The traditional concept of 'recovery' may not fully capture the patient experience.
• Patient-centered approaches focusing on autonomy are crucial.

Conclusions:

• Focusing on subjective well-being and patient autonomy is key for severe mental disorders.
• Co-constructing a future with patients, emphasizing freedom and self-determination, facilitates progress.
• Rethinking the definition of recovery is necessary for these conditions.