Escape, enlightenment and endurance

Abstract

This paper reports findings from a study which analysed the narratives of individuals who described themselves as recovered or recovering from psychosis, a term referring to experiences such as hearing voices other people do not hear, seeing or sensing things other people do not see or sense, holding unusual beliefs (delusions) or beliefs about the malevolent intention of others which seem unwarranted (paranoia). A narrative approach was taken since it allows for a focus on the construction of meaning and it is the breakdown of shared meanings which, at least in part, defines psychotic experience. It was also anticipated that the way the individual narrated their experience would offer important clues as to how they (and others) had facilitated the recovery process. This paper reports on the analysis of genre, tone and core narratives. Three distinct genres emerged from the analysis: narratives of escape, enlightenment and endurance. There was a relationship between genre, tone and core narrative. The study raises questions about how psychosis is experienced, understood and treated by the individual, by mental health professionals and by society.