‘In a way, it was a relief, being allowed to eat’. A qualitative study of individuals’ experiences of admission to inpatient treatment for anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

The aim om this study was to explore the experiences of individuals who are admitted to inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN). We completed in‑depth interviews with four patients diagnosed with AN who were currently admitted to inpatient treatment. We analyzed the transcripts using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results indicate that inpatient treatment can reduce the emotional burden of recovery and provide necessary support for the motivational processes. For the participants, the restrictions inherent in the treatment regime are held accountable for change, relieving the patient from the guilt of this process, hence reducing shame and ambivalence. For the participants to entrust the personnel with the responsibility of taking over the control, they need to perceive the staff as AN experts, someone who understands them, and is worthy of their trust. Interaction with inpatient peers is both as a motivation to work against the AN and reduces negative emotions due to eating, as the perspectives shift from working with the AN to being there for their peers. The results support emphasizing the role of emotion regulation in the treatment of AN, the importance of specialized competence in eating disorders and the unique experience of individuals in inpatient treatment.

Keywords

• Anorexia nervosa
• inpatient treatment
• qualitative research
• emotion regulation
• IPA
• General Psychology