A Systematic Review of People's Lived Experiences of Inpatient Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa: Living in a "bubble"

Overview

Journal J Eat Disord

Publisher Biomed Central

Date 2023 Jun 9

PMID 37296440

Authors

Rebekah Rankin

Janet Conti

Lucie Ramjan

Phillipa Hay

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN) is typically delivered on a continuum of care, starting with outpatient treatment, and moving onto intensive outpatient, day or residential treatment and/or inpatient hospitalisation. However, minimal attention has been afforded to the lived experiences of persons undergoing inpatient treatment for AN. In particular, qualitative literature pertaining to the lived experiences of specialist inpatient or residential treatment of AN remains fragmented and incomplete. The aim of this review was to synthesise current literature exploring patients' lived experiences of residential and inpatient treatment for AN within eating disorder-specific treatment services.

Methods: Five databases were searched and a qualitative thematic systematic review and meta-synthesis of 11 studies were conducted.

Results: Eleven studies of 159 participants were included. Four meta-themes were constructed from the data: (1) a medical discourse-"I don't think it's individualised here"; (2) restrictive practice-living in a "bubble"; (3) myself, others and "a similar demon"; and (4) I am "not just another anorexic". The data also revealed two cross-cutting themes: (1) more than a single experience; and (2) meaning making and identity.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of the inpatient treatment experience as well as the inherent conflicts in balancing the necessity of medical and psychological intervention with person-centred treatment approaches in the treatment of AN.

Citing Articles

"Like a rollercoaster": carer experiences of residential treatment for eating disorders.

Rankin R, Conti J, Ramjan L, Hay P J Eat Disord. 2025; 13(1):45.

PMID: 40069810 PMC: 11895211. DOI: 10.1186/s40337-025-01226-w.

Harnessing precision nutrition to individualize weight restoration in anorexia nervosa.

Rodriguez I, Huckins L, Bulik C, Xu J, Igudesman D J Eat Disord. 2025; 13(1):29.

PMID: 39962541 PMC: 11834214. DOI: 10.1186/s40337-025-01209-x.

'It takes a village': patient lived experiences of residential treatment for an eating disorder.

Rankin R, Conti J, Ramjan L, Hay P BJPsych Open. 2025; 11(2):e30.

PMID: 39898487 PMC: 11822953. DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2024.849.

"I'll do it on my own, but I'm never alone"[1 p. 402]: lived experience and practitioner perspectives of autonomy in longstanding and severe eating disorder treatment and recovery-a rapid evidence review.

Burke F, Higgins M, MacGinley M J Eat Disord. 2024; 12(1):208.

PMID: 39710731 PMC: 11665225. DOI: 10.1186/s40337-024-01164-z.

The Sensory Landscape and Embodied Experiences in Anorexia Nervosa Treatment: An Inpatient Sensory Ethnography.

Chubinidze D, Zesch E, Sarpong A, Li Z, Baillie C, Tchanturia K J Clin Med. 2024; 13(23).

PMID: 39685631 PMC: 11642696. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13237172.

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