Remission: Symptom Remission

Symptom remission means that specified symptoms have become sufficiently mild or absent according to an agreed definition. In schizophrenia research, this may involve selected psychotic, disorganisation and negative symptoms. The term does not always mean that every symptom has disappeared or that the person no longer needs treatment.

Remission describes a period in which symptoms are absent or reduced below a defined level. It is a clinical description rather than a guarantee about the future. Different studies and services use different thresholds, so the meaning should be explained whenever remission is discussed as a treatment outcome.

Assessment should identify which symptoms are included and how severity was judged. A person may still hear occasional voices but feel little distress and function well, while another may have fewer symptoms yet remain substantially impaired. Clinical measures and personal experience therefore provide complementary information. Remission is an important outcome, but it should not erase treatment adverse effects, depression or cognitive difficulties. Clear language helps the person understand the achievement without creating unrealistic expectations that ordinary challenges or future changes would invalidate all progress.

Remission criteria usually emphasise the current level of symptoms rather than only the amount of change. A large improvement from severe symptoms can still leave substantial difficulties, while modest change may bring someone below a threshold. Both improvement and remission can be useful outcomes, but they answer different questions and should be reported separately when describing treatment effects.

Further reading: National Institute of Mental Health; Research record 15741458.