Compulsory Community Treatment and Patients' Perception of Recovery in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: This study examined whether patients' perception of recovery differed for those receiving treatment under a compulsory treatment order (CTO) compared to those who were not. Method: A total of 86 participants with schizophrenia/schizo-affective disorder were interviewed about their views on recovery, and their clinical files were examined to ascertain if they were under a CTO at time of interview. Results: No association between being under a CTO and recovery beliefs was found. Irrespective of whether patients were under a CTO or not, the majority of participants (82%) reported that they thought recovery is possible and half of the participants (51%) reported that they were in recovery. Conclusion: The present study found no evidence that being under a CTO was related to additional pessimistic views about recovery or being recovered. Participants under a CTO were no more or less likely to report that recovery was possible, and that they were recovered, as participants who were not under a CTO.