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Brain and Behavior Journal

May 2021

Schizophrenia Outcomes in the 21st Century:

A systematic review

 
British-based mental health specialists Peter Huxley, Anne Krayera, Rob Poolea, Louise Prendergast, and Sanjaya Aryal are reporting on a review of outcomes in schizophrenia in the 21st century, replicating and extending work undertaken by the late Colorado Recovery founder Richard Warner, M.D., in his seminal book Recovery from Schizophrenia: Psychiatry and Political Economy (1985 and 2004). The researchers followed Dr. Warner’s methods as closely as possible, including only observational/naturalistic studies. Six scientific databases were searched from 2000 to 2020. 
 
In 1985, Dr. Warner used empirical evidence to strongly challenge the then prevailing view of schizophrenia, which suggested that psychosis was strongly characterised by poor clinical and social outcomes. Warner distinguished between “complete recovery” and “social recovery”. He defined the former as loss of psychiatric symptoms and return to pre-illness level of functioning, whereas he defined social recovery in functional terms; economic and residential independence with low social disruption, an important component of which is employment.
 
The new review tends to confirm one of Warner’s key assertions, that a significant proportion of people who receive a schizophrenia diagnosis make a good recovery. Comparison of the new  findings and Warner’s original findings show significant improvements in rates of first episode psychosis (FEP) recovery, with more disappointing results for multiple episodes psychosis (MEP,) especially post-2008. 
 
Huxley et al. concluded there is growing recognition that “outcome” is most meaningfully understood in terms of social parameters. They write that “A new approach is needed that does not ignore the biological and psychological aspects of psychosis but does place both causation and intervention firmly in their social context. Psychosis is a disorder where onset, course and outcomes are profoundly affected by social factors. Recovery can only meaningfully be understood as a social phenomenon.”
 

A Social Engagement Approach

Created by the internationally recognized Dr. Richard Warner, Colorado Recovery approaches care for mental health based on a path of self-reliance through developed practiced skills. This non-institutionalized philosophy offers comprehensive levels of care supported by an expert medical and clinical team, engaging patients in increasing community participation. Those under our care go to school, volunteer, or are employed in the beautiful surrounding Boulder area where they regularly take advantage of all it has to offer recreationally.

In our Signature Continuum of Care we begin at Balsam House, our residential program, to establish new ways to approach common challenges with mental disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. This facility replicates the warmer home-like environment clients will ultimately return to but it also offers a high level of care from multiple psychiatrists, registered nurses, and licensed master’s level behavioral health professionals. Once they are ready, clients progress to our transitional living and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for increased independence.

Dr. Richard Warner

Founder

Call (720) 218-4068 to connect with a specialist.

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