Lost time, found hope and sorrow: The search for self, connection, and purpose during "awakenings" on the new antipsychotics

The novel antipsychotic medications clozapine and olanzapine provide well-documented clinical improvement for some patients with psychosis. We interviewed 15 patients with chronic psychosis who demonstrated significant improvement on these new medications and offer a conceptual framework to organize their narratives. In our conceptual model, our patients' descriptions are divided into three broad areas: sense of self, sense of connection, and sense af purpose. We also highlight the opportunities for psychotherapy with this population.