This study reports the extent of recovery from schizophrenia in a population-based cohort and has data that indicates, at least until age 35, that complete recovery from schizophrenia is rare.

Lauronen, Erika, koskinen, Johanna, Veijola, Juha, & Isohanni, Matti. (2005). Recovery From Schizophrenic Psychoses Within the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66(3), 375-383.

This 15-year, prospectively designed follow-up study compares individuals with schizophrenia with individuals with psychosis and without to show that many individuals with schizophrenia do, in fact, show intervals of recovery.

Harrow, Martin, Grossman, Linda S., Jobe, Thomas H., and Herbener, Ellen S. (2005). Do Patients with Schizophrenia Ever Show Periods of Recovery? A 15-Year Multi-Follow-up Study. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 31(3), 723-734.

This study aims to improve cross-cultural comparisons of course and outcome in schizophrenia.

Harrison, G., Hopper, K., Craig, T., et al. (2001). Recovery from psychotic illness: a 15- and 25-year international follow-up study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 178, 506-517.

A 6-year multi-centre prospective serial follow-up study was done with participants with previously untreated unipolar major depression. An unfortunate conclusion was that less than half of the patients can expect to remain virtually symptom-free for 2 years or more after recovery from the depressive episode.

Kanai T., Takeuchi H., Furukawa T.A., Yoshimura R., et al. (2003). Time to recurrence after recovery from major depressive episodes and its predictors. Psychological Medicine, 33(5), 839-345.

Although schizophrenia is often viewed pessimistically, retrospective and prospective studies with both chronic and recent onset patients suggest that schizophrenia has a heterogeneous course, which can be favorably influenced by comprehensive and continuous treatment and personal factors.

Liberman, Robert Paul, Kopelowicz, Alex, Ventura, Joseph, and Gutkind, Daniel. (2002). Operational criteria and factors related to recovery from schizophrenia. International Review of Psychiatry, 14(4), 256-272.

Findings from studies carried out in Norway reveal that full recovery from schizophrenia was rare and that stability of recovery was transient and fragile.

Torgalsboen, Anne-Kari, and Rund, Bjorn Rishovd. (2002). Lessons learned from three studies of recovery from schizophrenia. International Review of Psychiatry, 14(4), 312-317.

In this study, the authors determined the rate and latency of both syndromal and functional recovery after the initial hospitalization of patients with first-episode psychotic affective disorders. The findings suggest that these very common psychotic illnesses can carry a grave functional prognosis from the initial episode and first hospitalization.

Tohen M, Hennen J, Zarate CM, Baldessarini RJ, et al. (2000). Two- year syndromal and functional recovery in 219 cases of first episode major affective disorder with psychotic features. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157(2), 220-228.

This paper examined the data of 227 individuals on enduring positive symptoms in first-episode psychosis.

Edwards, J., Maude, D., McGorry, P., Harrigan, S., & Cocks, J. (1998). Prolonged recovery in first-episode psychosis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 172 (Suppl. 33) 107-116.

These two articles provide accounts and comparisons of the outcomes of individuals from Maine and Vermont followed over three decades of study in the Vermont Longitudinal Project.

DeSisto, M. J., Harding, C. M., McCormick, R. V., Ashikaga, T., & Brooks, G. W. (1995a). The Maine and Vermont three-decade studies of serious mental illness: I. Matched comparisons of cross-sectional outcome. British Journal of Psychiatry, 167(3), 331-338.

DeSisto, M. J., Harding, C. M., McCormick, R. V., Ashikaga, T., & Brooks, G. W. (1995b). The Maine and Vermont three-decade studies of serious mental illness: II. Longitudinal course comparisons. British Journal of Psychiatry, 167(3), 338-341.

The authors report the latest findings from a 32-year longitudinal study of 269 back-ward patients from Vermont State Hospital. This intact cohort participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program and was released to the community in a planned deinstitutionalization effort during the mid-1950s.

Harding, C.M, Brooks G.W., Ashikaga, T., Strauss, J.S., & Breier, A. (1987). The Vermont longitudinal study of persons with severe mental illness, I. Methodology, study sample, and overall status 32 years later. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 718-726.

The paper presents the findings of a long-term follow-up study of 118 patients from Vermont State Hospital who, when rediagnosed retrospectively, met DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia at their index hospitalization in the mid-1950s.

Harding, C.M, Brooks G.W., Ashikaga, T., Strauss, J.S., & Breier, A. (1987). The Vermont longitudinal study of persons with severe mental illness, II. Long-term outcome of subjects who retrospectively met DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 727-735.