Recovery from schizophrenia can be characterized by remission of symptoms and restoration of functioning, tempered by stability of these improvements over the course of the disorder. Empirical findings on the course and outcome of schizophrenia from two studies that were carried out in Norway over the past fifteen years were based on standardized interviews eliciting stability of symptom improvement and psychosocial adjustment.The results from these studies revealed that, given the type and scope of treatment and rehabilitation provided, full recovery from schizophrenia was rare and that stability of recovery was transient and fragile. Full recovery, full remission and spontaneous remission can be defined separately as standards for outcome. Expectations of full recovery in areas such as work ability and social relations are probably not reasonable with modest, discontinuous, uncoordinated and time-limited biopsychosocial services. In addition, it is extremely difficult to compensate for many years of 'lost life' when individuals have experienced extended periods of disability. Full remission may therefore be a more fruitful concept when describing those individuals with schizophrenia who have achieved and sustained their recovery.