How do we get our Daughter back? Parents' Perspectives on Recovery from Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Background: Anorexia Nervosa is a severe mental illness most commonly occurring during adolescence. As a parent, caring for a child with Anorexia Nervosa can quickly consume all aspects of family life, leading to frustration, feelings of burden and increased levels of anxiety and depression. Despite the impact of the illness on parents, there is a surprising lack of literature drawing on parents perspectives of recovery, particularly during adolescence.

Rescripting—A grounded theory study of the contribution that fathers make to Family‐Based Treatment when a young person has anorexia nervosa

“…Care giver burden is a well-documented concept within the eating disorder literature and relates to the demands placed on parents/ carers when supporting an individual with an eating disorder (González et al, 2012, Parks et al, 2018, Stefanini et al, 2018. In most qualitative studies undertaken to date, exploring the transition to a caring role for young people with eating disorders, fathers have been an underrepresented group, as more mothers than fathers have been successfully recruited (Coomber and King, 2012, Cottee-Lane et al, 2004, Denton et al, 2017, Goodier et al, 2014, Honey and Halse, 2006, Honey et al, 2008, McCormack and McCann, 2015, Rhind et al, 2016, Thomson et al, 2014, Svensson et al, 2013, Weaver, 2012 like to support someone with anorexia nervosa and these were shared in a subsequent clinical session. Within both treatments, the letters written revealed higher levels of maternal than paternal stress.…”

Psychological Discrepancies found in Children and Adolescents

“…The physical and psychological implications of the disease on the patient as well as on the family members and parents are extensive and needs immediate address. The article published by Denton et al [1] emphasized on the need of publication of scientific manuscripts that highlight on the perspectives and dilemma of parents of adolescents suffering from Anorexia Nervosa. The authors presented a multifaceted overview of parents' experience of taking care of an adolescent daughter, who was suffering from the disease.…”