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Adolescent inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa: a qualitative study exploring young adults' retrospective views of treatment and discharge
Author(s) -
Offord Abaigh,
Turner Hannah,
Cooper Myra
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.687
Subject(s) - feeling , anorexia nervosa , psychology , eating disorders , normality , interpretative phenomenological analysis , distress , young adult , clinical psychology , psychiatry , qualitative research , developmental psychology , psychotherapist , social psychology , social science , sociology
Abstract Objective To explore young adults' views regarding: the inpatient treatment they received for anorexia nervosa during their adolescences; their experiences of discharge; and the impact their admission had on issues of control and low self‐esteem. Method Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with seven young adults treated in general adolescent psychiatric units. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Four super‐ordinate themes emerged from participants' accounts: (1) Removal from normality versus connecting with the outside world; (2) Treated as another anorexic versus a unique individual in distress; (3) Control and collaboration; (4) The importance of peer relationships. Discussion Findings unique to this study concerned a sense of feeling removed and disconnected from ‘normality’; a feeling that one's developmental needs were not always addressed; and the importance placed on supportive relationships with fellow patients. It was also found that authoritarian approaches may compound patients' feelings of ineffectiveness, worthlessness and isolation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.