Stages of recovery in psychosis: Converging qualitative research and psychoanalysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find common points of view between the results of qualitative studies researching stages of the recovery process in persons with psychosis and mental changes in a therapeutic relationship in psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Both concepts correspond one to another. The added psychoanalytical perspective highlights milestones in psychic change: attainment of mental differentiation; integration of self together with the transformation of psychotic grandiosity into decentration, which implies responsibility for illness and own life. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These conclusions highlight the importance of supporting relationships for people suffering from psychoses.