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Subjective experiences of illness recovery in individuals treated for first-episode psychosis

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Individuals with psychotic disorders identify several parallel dimensions of recovery as being important, including illness related, personal and social domains. Learning how patients deal with the experience of psychosis and recovery early in the course of illness may provide insights for improvement of early intervention services. The primary aim of the present research is to explore experiences related to recovery for individuals receiving services following a first episode of psychosis (FEP) in a specialized early intervention (SEI) program and to examine key turning points that shape such recovery.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 30 individuals in early recovery following an FEP. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to examine the subjectively identified important processes and turning points in relation to the illness domain of recovery.

Results

Participants described several early recovery processes including symptom recovery; reconciling the meaning of the illness experience; regaining control over the experience; and negotiation and acceptance of treatment. Of particular relevance were the various turning points associated with the recovery processes that were described.

Conclusions

Differences in illness acceptance trajectories and the turning points within such trajectories have important implications for understanding psychological adjustment to the experience of psychosis, its diagnosis and treatment. These findings underline the importance of assisting individuals with the construction of meaning following the initial illness experience.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Prevention and Early Intervention for Program for Psychoses, London, Canada

    Deborah L. Windell

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada

    Ross Norman

  3. School of Rehabilitation, University of Montréal, Montreal, Canada

    Shalini Lal

  4. Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

    Ashok Malla

  5. ACCESS-Canada, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, 6625 Lasalle Boulevard, Montreal, QC, H4H1R3, Canada

    Ashok Malla

Authors
  1. Deborah L. Windell
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  2. Ross Norman
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  3. Shalini Lal
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  4. Ashok Malla
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ashok Malla.

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Windell, D.L., Norman, R., Lal, S. et al. Subjective experiences of illness recovery in individuals treated for first-episode psychosis. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 50, 1069–1077 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-1006-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-1006-x

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