Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa: The personal meaning of symptoms and treatment

Abstract

The current study aims to explore the experiences of women with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN). Six women with recurring difficulties of AN for over a decade were interviewed regarding their experiences of their eating disorder and of their treatment. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The results identified the functional role of AN to resolve complex underlying psychological difficulties (in particular a diminished sense of self and search for identity) and the role of unhelpful treatment experiences and negative relationships with staff in the maintenance of AN. The themes provide an insight into the problems of women who struggle with their eating disorder for many years. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed in the context of the need for services to move away from focussing on weight and eating, towards facilitating clients to address the underlying psychological issues of the disorder.