Anorexia nervosa: treatment expectations – a qualitative study

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic information on participants (n = 15) at first assessment

Participant ID	Age	Duration of illness (years)	BMI	Diagnosis after first assessment
Patient 1	23	1	16.6	AN
Patient 2	24	7	17.7	AN
Patient 3	19	6	19.2	EDNOS, previous AN
Patient 4	23	7	17.1	AN
Patient 5	22	4	17.2	AN
Patient 6	20	1	17.5	AN
Patient 7	21	4	17.3	AN
Patient 8	23	5	19.6	EDNOS with amenorrhea
Patient 9	19	2	17.9	AN
Patient 10	20	1	16.6	AN
Patient 11	21	7	16.2	AN
Patient 12	23	10	15	AN
Patient 13	21	6	17.4	AN
Patient 14	23	9	18.3	EDNOS
Patient 15	23	2	15	AN
Mean	21.7	4.8	17.2

Abbreviations: AN, anorexia nervosa; BMI, body mass index; EDNOS, eating disorder not otherwise specified.

Table 2 Subcategories, categories, main categories, and the overall theme from content analysis of narratives about expectations before treatment

Theme	Receiving adequate therapy in a collaborative therapeutic relationship and recovering
Main category	Treatment content					Treatment professionals		Treatment focus
Category	Information	Therapy	Therapeutic conversation	Support/advice	Goals	Professional qualities	Personal qualities	Behavioral issues	Physical issues	Psychological issues
Subcategory	Information about treatment and the illness	A specific psychotherapy approach Different treatment methods	Talk about my problems	Get support and good advice	Get well Lead a normal life Work or study	Professionals with experience and knowledge of eating disorders	Meet someone face-to-face who listens, understands, and respects my situation See someone not familiar	Change eating and control behaviors Know what to eat and how to eat normally Get control of my eating	Deal with body issues Get strong and alert Have more energy	Work with negative feelings Change negative thoughts about food and eating Feel all kinds of emotions