The transition process between child and adolescent mental services and adult mental health services for patients with anorexia nervosa: a qualitative study of the parents’ experiences

Abstract

Plain English summary Adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) who receive care from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) often need further treatment from Adult Mental Health Services (AHMS). This study explores the transition between CAMHS and AHMS for parents of adolescents with AN in a naturalistic public mental health-care setting. Our study identified six themes concerning the transition between CAMHS and AMHS, based on parents’ experiences of the process and what they considered influenced the transition. In general, parents and patients are both unprepared for the sudden discharge from CAMHS when the patient turns 18 years old. The transition is often characterized by a lack of continuity, leading to deterioration and relapses among patients. The lack of involvement and information parents experience in the transition causes distress, and parents have overwhelming multifaceted responsibilities in the transition period. Parents view knowledge to be the key to a successful transition, and they are stressed and need support in the transition.

Keywords

• Anorexia nervosa
• Mental health transition
• Adolescent
• Carers
• Parents’ perspective
• Caregivers’ perspective