General public definition
- Recovery is currently not listed as a diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11.
- Recovery is defined as the personalized journey to a way of living that allows a person with a physical or mental health condition to have positive mental health and good well-being.
Academic definition
- Recovery is currently not listed as a diagnosis in either the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11.
- Although there is no universally agreed-upon definition for the term recovery, the concept is widely endorsed.
- Recovery refers to the personally contextualized, self-determined journey to well-being when a person has a mental disorder, a chronic physical health condition, or chronic pain.
- Recovery is the ongoing process of change that increases a person’s well-being, includes symptom reduction, and also allows for living a meaningful life where the person has positive mental health, is hopeful and optimistic, and is participating and contributing to society, their community, or whatever the individual has defined as a worthwhile endeavour.61,62
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