“Your mind doesn’t have room for anything else”: a qualitative study of perceptions of cognitive functioning during and after recovery from anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Plain English summary Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), an eating disorder associated with low weight, often experience poor quality of life and difficulties in thinking and brain function. In this study, 11 individuals with AN and 10 individuals recovered from AN were interviewed in order to explore the nature of these cognitive difficulties. Overall, respondents reported experiences of poor brain function, as well as similarities between AN and other psychiatric illnesses, and described how they adapted their lives around these experiences. They also were somewhat optimistic about the future, and respondents viewed feelings of liberation as a central aspect of recovery. Whilst individuals with AN often appear to be functioning very well, it appears that there are several difficulties associated with brain function and mood that may interfere with the ability to engage in daily life, especially in leisure and social activities.

Keywords

• Anorexia nervosa
• Cognition
• Interview
• Qualitative
• Recovery