Sense of self in recovery from severe mental illness
Abstract
This report based on research interviews conducted with persons struggling to recover from prolonged psychiatric disorders suggests that the rediscovery and reconstruction of an enduring sense of the self as an active and responsible agent provides an important aspect of improvement. This process of developing a functional sense of self in the midst of persisting psychotic symptoms and dysfunction is described, and its implications for understanding severe mental illness and processes of change are discussed. It is suggested that viewing the development of a dynamic sense of self as central to the improvement process provides a coherent thread which ties together diverse research findings concerning factors influencing course and outcome of illness. It is also suggested that for treatment and rehabilitation to elicit and foster a more functional sense of self, models of improvement will need to allow for, and encourage, a more active and collaborative role for the person with the disorder.
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The process of recovery from SSD has been described as discovering a more agentic self.
“The process of recovery from SSD has also been described as discovering a more agentic self (Davidson & Strauss, 1992)”
From Narrative identity in the psychosis spectrum: A systematic review and developmental model (2021) · cites this paper as Davidson & Strauss, 1992
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- Authors
- Davidson, L., & Strauss, J. S.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Davidson, Larry
- Venue
- British Journal of Medical Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1992-06
- Volume
- 65
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 131-145
- ISSN
- 0007-1129 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2158805939
- Cited by
- 557
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 21
- FWCI
- 35.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Medical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Yale University
- National Institutes of Health (5k05mh000340-15)
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH 00340)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Keywords
- selfhood, severe mental illness, recovery, psychosis, self-concept, individual agency, rehabilitation, treatment model
- MeSH terms
- Activities of Daily Living, Adult, Affective Disorders, Psychotic, Mental Disorders, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Middle Aged, Personality Assessment, Personality Development, Psychotherapy, Psychotic Disorders, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenic Psychology, Self Concept
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