Recovered or dead? A Swedish study of 321 persons surveyed as severely mentally ill in 1995/96 but not so ten years later

Abstract

Aim.The aim was to follow-up a group of persons who were considered severely and persistently mentally ill (SMI) at the time of the 1995 Swedish mental health-care reform but not so ten years later.Methods.Surveys were conducted in 1995/96 and 2006 in an area of Sweden. Of 602 persons surveyed as SMI in 1995/96, 321 were not found to be so in a similar survey in 2006. These persons were followed up concerning death rates and causes, as well as concerning recovery and present care. Comparisons between subgroups were made using the results of interviews conducted in 1995/96.Results.Nineteen percent of the persons considered SMI in 1995/96 were recovered in 2006 in the sense that they no longer were considered SMI. The only variable found to predict recovery was diagnosis. Half of the persons in the sample given a diagnosis of neurosis were recovered but only 6% of those given a diagnosis of psychosis. Death rates and death causes seemed to be in line with previous research.Conclusions.Relatively few persons were considered recovered after ten years. Most persons in the sample were still in contact with care and services.