A Disorder of a Vulnerable Self: Anorexia Nervosa Patients’ Understanding of Disorder and Self in the Context of fMRI Brain Scanning

Abstract

In this article, we aim to explore patient perspectives regarding the etiology of anorexia nervosa (AN) in the context of participating in brain research for AN. This is a qualitative study using semistructured interviews with 12 young AN patients. Data were analyzed according to thematic analysis method. This study shows that patients’ language used to express their understanding of the etiology of AN was characterized by psychological terms such as personality, self-esteem, control, and coping rather than neuroscientific terms.Participants held a complex understanding of the causes of AN, acknowledging a brain–mind relationship. However, participants expressed the hope that brain sciences could contribute to identify an objective, physical proof for AN, that would validate their illness, increase understanding, and reduce blame. The study suggests that prevailing biological explanations promoted by brain research did not encourage simplistic perspectives on causation among patients. Instead, patients viewed biological-based theories and brain science as a means of validating their illness.