“What is the emotional experience of a person who has suffered from Anorexia Nervosa?”

Manualised family therapy approaches are often used in treatment for those with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Despite evidence of its efficacy, there is a lack of focus on targeting emotional management difficulties and addressing individualised goals for recovery. This study aims to understand the lived experience of those with AN, and their views on emotions and recovery, to better inform practice. Methods: Participants with a formal diagnosis of AN who deemed themselves to be in ‘recovery’ were eligible for this study. Five semi structured interviews were conducted, and recordings were transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis in MAXQDA software. Results: Five White British women participated, and five main themes were generated to describe their emotional experience in relation to AN and recovery. These were; (1) My emotional experience in my family of origin, (2) This feels intolerable, (3) How my body got involved, (4) Modulating and suppressing emotions, and feeling in control, and (5) The journey to recovery. Conclusions: More effort should be undertaken to understand the personal experience of those who seek treatment for AN, particularly in relation to emotional efficacy and management. Additionally, a collaborative approach by clinicians, addressing clearly identified and individualised goals for recovery identified by those they are treating, may be of benefit.