“That You Just Know You’re Not Alone and Other People Have Gone through It Too.” Eating Disorder Recovery Accounts on Instagram as a Chance for Self-Help? A Qualitative Interview Study among People Affected and Self-Help Experts

Abstract

In addition to the professional treatment of eating disorders, the use of self-help groups has become increasingly important. Social media offers new possibilities for self-help, not only as online groups but also in increased access to recovery stories of people with similar diseases. People with eating disorders use the internet and social media depending on their motivation in different ways. Eating disorder recovery stories on social media have not yet been systematically used in treatment as appropriate guidelines are still lacking. This study provides an initial insight into the possibilities of using social media for self-help for eating disorders. Due to the exploratory nature, a qualitative design was used, combining interviews with people who have a recovery account on Instagram (n = 6) and self-help experts (n = 2). The results show that recovery stories on Instagram could serve as door openers for further treatment, motivation for therapy, a first step towards behaviour change, and support for existing therapies. If affected people can cope with the self-protection strategies, they can use Instagram positively for themselves and their disease. Nevertheless, there is a risk of negative influence as well as a risk of content and time overload. Therapeutic personnel can use these results to improve existing support services.

“If I Unfollow Them, It's Not a Dig at Them”: A Narrative Analysis of Instagram Use in Eating Disorder Recovery

“…Personal ED recovery Instagram accounts—that is, recovery accounts run by individuals documenting their personal recovery journeys—enable users to share their own ED recovery journeys with other users (as well as to post images for themselves). People may start and maintain recovery accounts to keep themselves motivated, and/or with an aim of helping others (Wenig & Janetzke, 2022). Images on these accounts often include before and after transformation images of a user's weight gain or loss as a token of their recovery progress (Hockin-Boyers et al, 2020a).…”

Improving motivation and treatment uptake behaviors of patients with eating disorders using patient narrative videos: study protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial

“…Patient narratives, i.e., personalized stories of persons previously affected by a mental disorder detailing their illness and recovery, provide another promising adjunct to ED treatments. Patient narratives are available both as published books and in a variety of formats throughout the internet [ 22 , 23 ]. Studies have shown that reading patient narratives may reduce the self-stigma associated with ED in student populations [ 24 ] and, when presented in a safe and responsible way, may shorten the duration of DUED [ 25 ] and provide current patients with feelings of hope for a possible recovery [ 22 ].…”

"Unlock a better life: Here's how!": A critical inquiry into how life coaches gain capital and shape legitimacy using Instagram's affordances

“…Influencers effectively use the affordances of Instagram, allowing influencers to cultivate authority, credibility, authenticity, and craft appealing content (Jin, et al, 2019;Sokolova and Kefi, 2020). In contrast to influencers, however, life coaches do not primarily act as brand ambassadors for themselves and/or external companies; their focus is foremost on attracting clients to enroll in their self-made selfimprovement programs (Wenig and Janetzke, 2022). In doing so, life coaches must market themselves as credible experts in their field.…”