Causes and recovery in anorexia nervosa: The patient's perspective

TLDR

Subjective accounts may help understand the complex, often intractable disorder of anorexia nervosa, where patients perceive both external family environments and personal factors such as dieting and stress as contributory. The study explored anorexic patients’ subjective accounts of the causes of their anorexia and of factors that fostered recovery. All female new referrals to an eating disorders service were interviewed with open‑ended questions about causes and recovery factors, and responses were categorized by two independent raters. Patients most frequently cited dysfunctional families, dieting, and stressful experiences as causes, while supportive nonfamilial relationships, therapy, and maturation were the main recovery factors, underscoring the importance of interpersonal influences in treatment. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Int J Eat Disord 33: 143–154.

Abstract

Abstract Objective We explored anorexic patients' subjective accounts of the causes of their anorexia and of the factors that fostered recovery. Subjective accounts could assist in understanding this complicated and often intractable disorder. Method All female new referrals to an eating disorders service underwent extensive interviews including open‐ended questions about their beliefs concerning the causes of their anorexia nervosa and factors that led to recovery. Responses were categorized by two independent raters. Results The most commonly mentioned perceived causes were dysfunctional families, weight loss and dieting, and stressful experiences and perceived pressure. The three most commonly cited factors contributing to recovery were supportive nonfamilial relationships, therapy, and maturation. Discussion Individuals with anorexia nervosa perceive both external (family environment) and personal factors (dieting and stress) as contributory to their disorders. The results underscore the importance of interpersonal factors in recovery from anorexia nervosa and suggest that attention to this area in treatment may be beneficial. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 33: 143–154, 2003.