“Becoming the Real Me”: Recovering from Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

We investigated the process of recovery from anorexia nervosa using grounded theory. Open-ended interviews conducted with 9 women who had recovered from anorexia nervosa revealed that recovery focused on rediscovery and redefinition of the self and included the following: (1) seeing the dangers, (2) inching out of anorexia, (3) tolerating exposure without anorexia, (4) gaining perspective by changing the anorexia mindset, and (5) discovering and reclaiming self as “good enough.” The process of recovery described in this study may provide a useful framework for helping women understand their own process of recovery, and introducing them to strategies that support their recovery efforts. The findings also support therapies that foster therapeutic alliance, acknowledge readiness for change, and promote a sense of autonomy.

This research was supported by a Katherine McMillan Director's Discretionary Fund awarded from the School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, and graduate student awards from the Registered Nurses' Foundation of British Columbia and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Training, and Technology to Ms. Lamoureux, and a career award from the Canadian Institute of Health Research to Dr. Bottorff. The authors also acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Ron Manley and Dr. Joy Johnson on this project.