This book aims to capture a range of individual stories about patients living with psychosis; it presents their illness history, personal circumstances and what makes their particular story of treatment and recovery so unique and inspiring.

Approximately 600,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with psychosis; however many face discrimination about their condition and may not receive the best care. This book aims to provide a greater understanding of psychosis and present a positive outlook for patients and their carers.
The book will appeal to all health and social care professionals working in mental health as well as the general market e.g volunteers, carers, family and friends.

• Presents individual stories by service users providing a personal account of their experience, the different healthcare approaches and their road to recovery.
• Highlights many of the specific difficulties faced by individuals with a diagnosis of psychosis and schizophrenia.
• Explores recovery approaches and its implications for working with service users.
• Project funded by Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Charity.
• Contributions by Dr Holloway, Dr Roberts and Dr Carson, who are leading specialists in the field on the clinical aspects of psychosis and recovery approaches.
• Illustrated throughout with photos of service users.


'This book is a powerful testament to the importance of story. Narrative can take us on a journey through the reality of pain and suffering, exploring the richness of human experience, and incorporating the possibility of recovery and change. Unsentimental, lightly edited and intelligently framed by short essays from mental health professionals, this book is a welcome draft of realistic optimism for all those involved in the world of mental health provision. More importantly, it is also an inspiration for service users. Offering hope without being patronising, acknowledging anger, shame and disagreement with the professional view, without giving up on constructive dialogue, this book should be made widely available in hospital and community settings'. Chris Lee

The new national mental health and well-being strategy includes the objective that more people with mental health problems will recover (HM Government, 2011). Over years, my local mental health services (the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust) have developed a Recovery Story project with many service users, and in 2011 they have been recognised as a beacon within the Supporting Recovery initiative, to show the way for other trusts. My recommendation for many other places is that all 14 of these Stories of recovery and hope could help show the way.