What is it Like to Recover From Psychosis? An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 24218754 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Samuel Thoma (0009-0008-9245-5710), Cassandre Bois, Kae Eichel, István Fazakas (0000-0002-2619-3790), Matthias Pauge, Thelke Scholz, Maia Witzig, Laura Galbusera (0000-0002-0459-2803) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-09-26 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Human Arenas (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2522-5790 • E-ISSN: 2522-5804 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s42087-026-00699-8 |
| OpenAlex | W7214456460 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 77 |
This study aims to explore the lived experience of recovery from psychosis, with a focus on pre-reflective, embodied, and intersubjective aspects. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. The data collected were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). In total, six persons (age 35-78y, m = 4 w = 2, diagnosis F20.0; F25.-) who claim themselves to be recovered took part in this study. The analysis revealed six key experiential themes. Recovery was characterized as a dynamic, non-linear process involving feelings of being pulled downward, self-doubt, emergence, resonance with oneself, resonance with others, and self-acceptance. The findings indicate that recovery is not solely cognitive or narrative-based but is also deeply embodied and relational, with significant roles played by experiential dimensions of verticality (e.g. a sense of being pulled downward or lightness) and horizontality (losing or re-gaining intercorporeal connection). The study challenges existing models by emphasizing existential transformation over mere symptom remission. It advocates for more holistic and experience-based approaches in clinical practice to better support individuals recovering from psychosis.
embodied experience · existential transformation · intercorporeality · Intersubjectivity · Lived experience · recovery from psychosis · Schizophrenia · Self-acceptance · self-doubt · verticality and horizontality · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Schizophrenia research and treatment
Rationale Psychologie und Phänomenologie
Time and Narrative, Volume 3
Essentials of interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Ease
Examining the Factor Structure of the Recovery Assessment Scale
Schizophrenia, Consciousness, and the Self
Conceptual framework for personal recovery in mental health
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for Schizophrenia
Flesh of Stories of Pain and Suffering
Investigating modes of being in the world
Neighbourhoods & recovery from psychosis in Trinidad
Disembodied Spirits and Deanimated Bodies
Phenomenological psychological interviewing
Recovering a sense of self in schizophrenia
Meaning in Life in Long-Term Recovery in First-Episode Psychosis
Recovery in Psychosis from a Service User Perspective
Living needs a landscape’
Mistrust in the World
Sense of self in recovery from severe mental illness
Atmospheres of recovery
Front-Loaded Phenomenology in Qualitative Research
But Is It Phenomenology
Time and Narrative, Volume 1
| Highly cited | No |
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