“Doing the Impossible”: The Process of Recovery From Chronic Anorexia Nervosa
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to explore the process of recovery over time from the perspective of those who had fully recovered from chronic anorexia nervosa (AN), using stringent recovery criteria. Eight women, assessed as fully recovered from chronic AN, told their story of the process of recovery. Data were analyzed using the qualitative method, narrative inquiry. Recovery was identified as a long and complex process that spanned four phases: from being unable or unready to change, to experiencing a tipping point where motivation increased and changed in quality, allowing the women to take action against the AN and finally allowing them to reflect and rehabilitate. Results provide a framework for understanding this complex process. Findings suggest that full recovery from chronic AN is possible and emphasize the importance of hope, motivation, self-efficacy, and support from others in the recovery process.
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Being told that there is no hope has been identified by individuals with SE-AN as a factor in maintaining the feeling that recovery is impossible, and part of the recovery phase of being unready or unable to change.
“Being told that there is no hope has been identified by individuals with SE-AN as a factor in maintaining the feeling that recovery is impossible, and part of the recovery phase of being unready or unable to change [7].”
From A lived experience response to the proposed diagnosis of terminal anorexia nervosa: learning from iatrogenic harm, ambivalence and enduring hope (2023) · cites this paper as [7]
The experience of having a clinician instil hope and feeling understood was identified as a key feature within the phase of a tipping point for recovery.
“The experience of having a clinician instil hope and feeling understood was also identified as a key feature within the phase of a tipping point for recovery [7].”
From A lived experience response to the proposed diagnosis of terminal anorexia nervosa: learning from iatrogenic harm, ambivalence and enduring hope (2023) · cites this paper as [7]
Some individuals experience AN as a voice, person or alternate self, and externalisation may be an important step in dialogical connection with the 'healing/recovered' self.
“Some individuals experience AN as a voice, person or alternate self [196–198], and externalisation may be an important step in dialogical connection with the ‘healing/recovered’ self”
From A lived experience response to the proposed diagnosis of terminal anorexia nervosa: learning from iatrogenic harm, ambivalence and enduring hope (2023) · cites this paper as [7]
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References 55 · Cited by 134
- Authors
- Dawson, L., Rhodes, P., & Touyz, S.
- Affiliations
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- Venue
- Qualitative Health Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-03-04
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 494-505
- ISSN
- 1049-7323 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7557
- OpenAlex
- W2096951005
- Cited by
- 134
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 14.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Qualitative Health Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Diversity and Impact of Dance
- Keywords
- chronic anorexia nervosa, full recovery, recovery process, motivation, self-efficacy, hope, social support, women, eating disorder recovery, rehabilitation
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anorexia Nervosa, Attitude to Health, Australia, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Middle Aged, Recovery of Function, Self Efficacy
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