Experiences of mental illness, treatment and recovery in schizophrenia. An existential-phenomenological exploration

This study explores in depth the narratives and experience of recovery from a convenience sample of seven participants with a schizophrenia diagnosis, but now remitted (Andreasen et al, 2005). Three lifeworlds (phases) emerged using hermeneutic phenomenology: (A) Losing existential grounding; (B) Being-within-the-system (i.e. hospitalised); and (C) Outside schizophrenia. Outside has a double meaning as it both emerges from the narratives and also is an important base for existential exploration: what else needs to happen except psychiatry?
Each lifeworld had a different meaning and different behaviours connected to it. Two necessary transitions were identified: First, accepting help; and second, an existential construction or re- construction depending on where in your life course you become affected. Psychotherapy was useful, but not necessary for remission and recovery.