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Mental Illness Research,
Education & Clinical Center (MIRECC)
VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network
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MindView Director's Letter Archive
Recovery in Schizophrenia
by Stephen R. Marder, MD
Archived Letters
Fall 2006 - This issue describes recovery, an important focus of our MIRECC. There is an increasing awareness that clinicians who treat individuals with schizophrenia and other serious psychiatric illnesses may be failing to understand the goals of many patients. For example, psychiatrists believe that most patients with schizophrenia are disinterested in work. Actually, more than 60% would be willing to work. It is interesting to speculate on why there is this disconnect between patients and their providers. One possible reason is that the providers are focused on reducing psychotic symptoms and may fail to ask the patient about his or her priorities and goals. Moreover, the patient with schizophrenia may not raise the issue since the clinician may seem disinterested in this aspect of their life.
This dilemma emphasizes important aspects of a recovery orientation toward treating schizophrenia and other serious psychiatric illnesses. That is, care should be patient-centered. The goals of treatment should emerge from a dialogue that includes discussions that go well beyond symptoms and considers the patient's vocational, social and other interests.
The MIRECC research program is addressing some of the important issues that support patient-centered care. For example, our participation in My HealtheVet will help to create an environment within the VA that will permit patients to play a larger role in managing their own illnesses. Research programs that focus on methods for helping patients to succeed in the workplace or in their social environment have the potential for enriching the lives of individuals even when they need to live with symptoms that resist drug treatment. A new research initiative will focus on patients who have managed to succeed in meeting their personal goals despite suffering from schizophrenia. We will study how these people manage to cope with their illness and still manage to work and function in their families and communities. Hopefully, these successful individuals have learned strategies for managing their illnesses that can be helpful to others.
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Archived Letters
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| Reviewed/Updated Date:
May 7, 2007
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