Here in Denmark “recovery” is a very popular concept. In the media people with schizophrenia are often interviewed about how they live with their voices without medication, and how they live a normal life despite SZ .
When those stories appear I always get the feeling I’m guilty for not being able to recover.
Sometimes the advocates for “recovery” sound like they belong to a church, a bit sectarian. They forget the rest of us.
I think it is good that society wishes for people with schizophrenia to enjoy better lives. That seems like a healthy shift in attitude compared to how we were viewed fifty years ago.
I guess it’s about how you view it.
Such stories can give hope to people who want recovery, but on the other hand it can create a barrier to people who don’t think recovery is possible, and they are in their full right. Most people with sz won’t have a full recovery, but the meaning of recovery stories is to inspire hope, not to make people feel less. They have good intentions.
Thats a good point,and it’s true, sometimes it’s just a bit too much here in my country. You only hear about either the horrostories when people commit a murder or the patients who are able to do a full recovery. Not the majority of people with SZ.
I agree, I’m lucky I’ve gotten to where I have so far. I’m still not fully recovered but I am better. I told them last time to throw the kitchen sink at my illness, and I’m on invega AND zyprexa and I feel myself getting better
I defiantly have my ups and downs no denying it. But I am better than I was 13 years ago which I’m thankful for.
There’s still a lot of stigma surrounding psych meds here in the States.
Many uneducated people feel that you are weak if you need to rely on a pill to help alleviate your mental illness.
So disappointing
Same in the UK @Wave
Although I’m court ordered.
I feel a lot of shame for not being able to work currently. I also lack a lot of confidence because of similar reason - functionality is subjective. Many would class me as recovered simply because I’m not suffering positive symptoms - but that’s tragic in my opinion. We should be considered recovered, and there should be a case for recovery when better functional capacity is a standard measure – functional socially and in the workplace.
@MisterApple you are very articulate. You still have your thoughts.
Thank you @bobbilly it’s kind of you, and I appreciate I’m recovered more than many peers
I didn’t notice my own abilities before being placed on an acute MH ward because I was always placed on intellectual disability wards. But you are articulate.
I think that means I never had anybody articulate to talk to on the ID wards. Apart from staff.
I’m not even going to lie @bobbilly , I’m in an emotional state. I’m sorry life has been difficult in this way for you. I hope that one day you meet a friend, who stays a friend, regardless of in your life for long or not whom you can share intellectual experiences with.
I know what it’s like to speak to people who are psychotic and their intellectual abilities are locked thanks to psychosis - I definitely give sympathies to the struggle bro, it’s sad.
I agree, it is good to send positive stories instead of negative ones.
Sz has many faces and no two Are alike.
I have a hunch some were missdiagnosed and in the end they were the recovered ones, maybe…
Maybe full rwcovery isn’t possible for everyone, but HOPE is.
Yeah, we can all hope for best…
Its kind of a point of view on what recovery is.
Recovery is on going and in stages.
Just because someone can work off meds and doesnt hear voices or whatever anymore doesnt mean their fully recovered. They are just considered recovered in one aspect and managing their condition.
You can also be managing your condition and not thriving.
Sincerely,
The Potato 
I think the definition of a “full recovery” depends on who’s defining it. It seems to differ amongst the people who report it whether it is an individual who has schizophrenia themselves or the researchers doing all these studies.
No not everyone fully recovers. Some don’t even get better. I partially recovered for a time but still ended up in a group home which is no place for the fully recovered.