The feeling of being trapped in and ashamed of one's own body: A qualitative study of women who suffer from eating difficulties

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore women's bodily experiences of suffering from eating difficulties (ED). The research question was: How do women who suffer from ED experience the bodily aspects related to their condition? Women suffering from ED experience problems in both the physical and emotional areas. Few qualitative studies have specifically addressed sufferers' bodily experiences related to ED. An explorative design was used. The data were collected by means of focus group interviews on the subject of ED-related problems, guilt and shame, and being a mother. The interpretation of the qualitative data was inspired by hermeneutic content analysis. The main theme, 'Powerful feelings of being trapped in and ashamed of one's own body', comprised two themes: 'The feeling of being trapped by overwhelming physical sensations' and 'The feeling of being ashamed of one's own body'. Bodily experiences were reported as strong. One clinical implication for nurses is to acknowledge this fact and make it possible for these women to articulate their difficulties, especially those connected to the feelings of being trapped and ashamed. Support groups focusing on these themes could be one way of assisting women and easing some of the negative feelings associated with ED.

Experiences of Guilt as a Mother in the Context of Eating Difficulties

“…This may be provided in support groups where the participants can interact and reflect on each other's experiences. The latter is in accordance with Rørtveit et al (Rørtveit,Åström, & Severinsson, 2009;Rørtveit, Vevatne, & Severinsson, 2009) who concluded that support groups can be one way to help women with ED, as such groups offer adequate help and make it possible for them to articulate concealed feelings. Barnett et al (2005) argued that group interventions that actively focus on the mother-child relationship may help the mothers to reflect on their difficulties, thus minimising the damage to mother and child.…”

Body Shame dan Gangguan Makan Kajian Meta-Analisis

“…Studi ini didasari pada temuan kualitatif pada wanita penderita gangguan makan. Hasil penelitian menemukan bahwa malu yang berfokus pada rasa malu yang berhubungan secara khusus dengan tubuh (malu fisik) lebih berpengaruh daripada rasa malu yang umum (Rørtveit, Åström, & Severinsson, 2009). Satu studi nonklinis lintas-seksional menemukan bahwa malu tubuh adalah prediktor yang lebih kuat dari patologi makan daripada rasa malu umum (Burney & Irwin, 2000).…”

“…Mengingat banyaknya ragam gangguan makan, maka mengkhususkan pengukuran pada variabel yang menjadi sumber utama munculnya rasa malu dianggap lebih mampu memberikan gambaran penyebab gangguan makan. Malu yang berfokus pada rasa malu yang berhubungan secara khusus dengan tubuh (malu fisik) lebih berpengaruh daripada rasa malu yang umum (Rørtveit, Åström, & Severinsson, 2009). …”

Social support networks and eating disorders: an integrative review of the literature

“…Women with bulimia nervosa, in contrast, present with several maladaptive thoughts and emotions, low self-esteem, “all or nothing” type of thinking, among others 7,9. Such psychological characteristics imply an inability to develop healthy social networks, since these women have difficulties in interpersonal relationships and are not socially well adjusted 6…”