Recovery is the return to a level of functioning prior to the first manifestations of the disease. 25% of people with schizophrenia can be considered recovered.
Recovering is not only related to the disappearance of symptoms of schizophrenia. Many people may have hallucinations or attenuated delusions and lead a life integrated into society in accordance with their expectations.
Recovery has been defined along 3 axes:
- a symptomatological axis: symptomatic remission, established with a score equal to or less than 4 ("moderate"), in each of the items relating to positive and negative symptoms of the BPRS (Brief psychiatric rating scale)
- a functional (psychosocial) axis: the criteria used relate to socio-professional functioning (for example, at least half of the time devoted to a school or professional activity); autonomy (e.g., being able to manage medication and finances relatively on their own); social and family relationships (e.g., social contact at least once a week)
- A time axis: recovery implies that the previous criteria are met for at least two consecutive years.
Recovery is an active process in which the patient is the main actor with the help of the healthcare team. The objectives in terms of capacity to function are progressive and are set taking into account the patient's expectations in the short, medium and long term. Recovery is a dynamic process that is built step by step. To make a comparison, it can correspond to functional rehabilitation for non-psychiatric diseases.