Traditional clinical definitions of recovery are associated with
individuals returning to a prior state of “normality” or with a
“cure”. In the context of mental health disorders, historically
this has been viewed as a remission of symptoms and a return
to normal behavioral functioning. More recent conceptualizations
of recovery have been referred to as “personal
recovery” (Slade, 2009). This shifts the meaning of recovery
towards a process that a person uses to achieve a satisfying
life beyond the limitations that are caused by a mental illness
(Anthony, 1993). Recovery is less about getting rid of the
symptoms or problems and more about developing a greater
hopefulness,meaning, and purpose in life and a positive sense
of identity beyond that associated with having a mental
illness. Personal recovery has been described as a journey
that is about growth and as taking control of, and responsibility
for, one’s life (Andresen et al., 2003).