Renee D. Rienecke, Gina Dimitropoulos, Alan Duffy, Daniel Le Grange, Jamie Manwaring, Sara Nieder, Jessica Sauerwein, Manya Singh, Ashlie Watters, Patricia Westmoreland, Philip S. Mehler

Involuntary treatment: A qualitative study from the perspectives of individuals with anorexia nervosa

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Clinical Psychology
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AbstractObjectiveInvoluntary treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN) is sometimes necessary and lifesaving but can be experienced negatively by some individuals. The purpose of this qualitative study was to better understand participants' perceptions about their experience with involuntary treatment for AN.MethodThirty adult participants, who had been treated involuntarily for AN in the past, completed self‐report measures and qualitative interviews. Interview transcripts were coded using thematic analysis.ResultsThree themes were identified: (1) mixed perceptions about involuntary treatment, (2) the impact of involuntary treatment on external factors, including relationships, education, and employment, and (3) lessons learned from the experience. Participants who endorsed a positive shift in perspective regarding the need for involuntary treatment also reported favorable changes in their eating disorder recovery, whereas individuals whose perspective about their involuntary treatment remained negative, showed no changes in their recovery post‐treatment.ConclusionsInvoluntary treatment for AN was recognized, in retrospect, as being beneficial by individuals with AN who were doing well, but individuals who continued to struggle with their eating disorder reported negative consequences.

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