Patients with major depression, mania, or schizo-affective disorder that
had been present without remission for 2 years or more at intake (N = 129)
were followed prospectively for 5 years, as were 580 patients who had been
ill for shorter periods at intake. Despite very substantial durations of
episode, three-quarters of the chronic patients recovered, although
recovery occurred much later in the follow- up period than it did among the
nonchronic patients. Factors associated with recovery were less severe
illness at intake, lack of psychotic features, good friendship patterns in
adolescence, and, most important, a relatively high maximum level of
functioning in the 5 years preceding intake.Abstract Teaser