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Anorexia nervosa: friend or foe?
L Serpell1, J Treasure, J Teasdale
1Eating Disorders Unit, University of London, United Kingdom.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|March 5, 1999
Summary
Patients with anorexia nervosa perceive benefits like control and feeling special, alongside costs such as relationship damage. Understanding these attitudes is key to treating this eating disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Eating Disorders
Background:
- Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder with significant psychological components.
- Understanding patient attitudes towards the disorder is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the attitudes of individuals with anorexia nervosa towards their condition.
- To identify perceived benefits and costs associated with anorexia nervosa.
Main Methods:
- Participants with anorexia nervosa wrote letters to their condition, addressing it as a friend and an enemy.
- A Grounded Theory methodology was used to develop a coding scheme for thematic analysis.
- High interrater reliability was achieved with three independent raters.
Main Results:
- Perceived benefits included feeling protected, a sense of control, and feeling special.
- Perceived costs involved obsessive thoughts about food, feeling dominated, and harm to personal relationships.
Conclusions:
- Positive themes identified in letters suggest factors that may maintain anorexia nervosa.
- The letter-writing method offers valuable clinical insights for treating anorexia nervosa.
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