Overview

Evidence from two highly regarded three-decade NIMH follow-up studies of schizophrenia and other psychoses, conducted by Courtenay Harding and her research team, have revealed that one half to two-thirds of even the most disabled schizophrenia patients achieved significant improvement, and even recovery, over time. These findings are consistent with those from nine other decades'-long studies from across the world, as well as many shorter-term investigations as well. But the field of psychiatry has nevertheless largely failed to accept that recovery is possible for most psychotic patients.Recovery from Schizophrenia provides numerous examples of patients becoming productive citizens, overcoming difficult starts in early life, alongside exciting program strategies and additional research evidence - evidence that provides a blueprint for both how to build new and successful mental health systems, and how to significantly improve clinical training programs. Unfortunately, most service systems still provide primarily stabilization, maintenance, medications, and entitlements under the new guise of rehabilitation. Critical changes need to occur in public policy, funding mechanisms, program design, and new clinical expectations to improve patient care-all of which will promote much more significant improvement and recovery. Discussion of these critical issues is presented here in accessible prose, allowing readers from a range of backgrounds - families, clinicians, and researchers alike - to experience the ups and downs of an entire field trying to solve the puzzle of recovery from schizophrenia in the usual settings. Recovery from Schizophrenia is the remarkable story of these patients and the scientists and caring professionals who refused to let go of hope for better outcomes.

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9780195380095

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Reviews

As a psychiatrist, I have dedicated my entire professional life to accompany people diagnosed with schizophrenia, encouraging them to become the leaders of their recovery process, always trying to find new ways to recover their own self through what we call Accompanied Self-rehabilitation. For us nothing would have been possible without the ideas, the energy, and the accompaniment we received from Professor Courtenay Harding. Anyone who studies this book carefully will understand why. * Alberto Fergusson, Full Professor and Director of the Center for Psychosocial Studies, Rosario University Bogota Colombia * Harding's book leads us on a heartwarming journey into recovery from schizophrenia, once thought to always deteriorate, infused with the author's empathic heart and scientific mind. It shares stories of resilience and overcoming challenges, providing new hope. This book reshapes our understanding of psychiatric rehabilitation, offering fresh perspectives on what is possible in mental health care. A must-read for anyone touched by mental illness, crafted with compassion and dedication. * Su-Ting Hsu Director, Department of Community Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan * Harding is first and foremost a storyteller and this illuminating volume contains many such compelling stories. First and foremost are the stories of persons experiencing serious mental illnesses over the previous two centuries, going through a variety of circumstances, treatments, and their own efforts to gain recovery. Secondarily is the recovery of the field of psychiatry, which has led to the current climate in which we have come to accept nothing less. * Larry Davidson, Professor of Psychiatry and Director, Program for Recovery and Community Health School of Medicine, Yale University * Dr. Harding tells the story of a lifetime of research that demonstrates that persons living with the most severe mental illnesses can and do recover. Along with other long-term outcome studies, her research has helped produce a revolution in global imagining of mental health services based in genuine hope for recovery and humane care for persons whose lives have been shattered by psychosis. A profound contribution to mental health scholarship and activism! * Byron Good, Harvard Medical School *

Author Information

Courtenay Harding has spent nearly 40 years as a professor of psychiatry. She has presented this evidence at least 550 times at international and national meetings, academic Grand Rounds, providers, families, patients, and government entities. She has received 47 awards and honors for her work.

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