Abstract
ObjectiveThis qualitative study explores the ways in which the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and associated lockdown measures have affected the lives of adult patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and their carers.MethodSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with patients with AN (n = 21) and carers (n = 28) from the start of UK Government imposed lockdown. Data related directly to the impact of lockdown and COVID‐19 were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFour broad themes were identified for patients and carers separately. Patients experienced: 1. reduced access to eating disorder (ED) services; 2. disruption to routine and activities in the community; 3. heightened psychological distress and ED symptoms; 4. increased attempts at self‐management in recovery. Carer themes included: 1. concern over provision of professional support for patients; 2. increased practical demands placed on carers in lockdown; 3. managing new challenges around patient wellbeing; 4. new opportunities.ConclusionsReduced access to ED services, loss of routine and heightened anxieties and ED symptoms resulting from COVID‐19 and lockdown measures presented challenges for patients and carers. Increased remote support by ED services enabled the continuation of treatment and self‐management resources and strategies promoted self‐efficacy in both groups.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the population at large and on health services
Participants were purposively selected from the TRIANGLE trial; an ongoing large-scale multi-centre randomized controlled trial investigating whether the addition of a novel intervention for patients and carers (ECHOMANTRA) to treatment as usual (TAU) improves outcomes for people with anorexia nervosa (AN)
Lockdown restrictions were set in place in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2020 and so the date that the interview took place appears alongside the quotation
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the population at large and on health services. Their countries in lockdown and closing public places such as restaurants, schools and gyms. In the United Kingdom (UK) other measures have included “social distancing” (staying two metres apart from other people outside of your household) and “shielding” (protecting vulnerable people at high risk of severe illness by minimizing all interaction between them and others). These measures have been highlighted as having the potential to adversely affect mental wellbeing in the short- and long-term (Brooks et al, 2020; Fiorillo & Gorwood, 2020). The impact of COVID-19 on individuals with eating disorders (EDs) is yet to be fully determined. Interruptions to routine, uncertainty and social isolation may result in increased distress for individuals with EDs (Gordon & Katzman, 2020)
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