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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Open Access 11-03-2025 | Schizophrenia | Research

Clinical treatment interventions in personal recovery stories of patients with severe mental illness: a qualitative study

Authors: Robin Michael Van Eck, Auke Jelsma, Jelle Blondeel, Kimriek de Wilde-Schutten, Jannick Vincent Rutger Zondervan, Thijs Jan Burger, Astrid Vellinga, Mariken Beatrijs de Koning, Frederike Schirmbeck, Sylvia Gerritsen, Martijn Kikkert, Lieuwe de Haan

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Abstract

Purpose

In quantitative research, small to medium associations were found between clinical and personal recovery in patients with severe mental illness (SMI). This finding may result from varying relationships between clinical and personal recovery depending on the individual patient. The aim of the current study was to explore the subjective experience of clinical treatment interventions in personal recovery stories of patients with severe mental illness.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 patients with SMI receiving treatment of a Flexible Assertive Community Treatment team in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Thematic analysis was used.

Results

We found that most clinical treatment interventions can have both positive and negative impact on personal recovery: (1) receiving a diagnosis can lead to relief, but also to stigma, (2) medication has positive effects, but side-effects impair personal recovery, (3) hospitalization and (4) coercive treatment can be helpful, but can also impact the process of recovery negatively, (5) psychological treatment is experienced as beneficial.

Conclusion

Mental healthcare practitioners’ awareness of patients’ diverging experiences regarding the impact of clinical treatment interventions on personal recovery is important to carry out recovery-supportive practice. Communicating a diagnosis with a hopeful narrative, developing personalized medication strategies and post-hospital reflection on the use of restraints are a good basis.

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Title: Clinical treatment interventions in personal recovery stories of patients with severe mental illness: a qualitative study
Authors: Robin Michael Van Eck
Auke Jelsma
Jelle Blondeel
Kimriek de Wilde-Schutten
Jannick Vincent Rutger Zondervan
Thijs Jan Burger
Astrid Vellinga
Mariken Beatrijs de Koning
Frederike Schirmbeck
Sylvia Gerritsen
Martijn Kikkert
Lieuwe de Haan
Publication date: 11-03-2025
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Schizophrenia
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-025-02872-w

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Springer Medicine

Clinical treatment interventions in personal recovery stories of patients with severe mental illness: a qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Podcast | Sexual health in older age

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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