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Hindi Research Article
How do we get our Daughter back? Parents' Perspectives on Recovery from Anorexia Nervosa
Rachel Denton1*, Steven Muncer2 and Lynne Howey31West Lane Hospital, Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, UK
2Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
3The Acley Centre, Newton Aycliffe, UK
- *Corresponding Author:
- Rachel Denton
Clinical Psychologist
West Lane Hospital
Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, UK
Tel: 07786514759
E-mail: rachel.denton@nhs.net
Received Date: Feb 28, 2017; Accepted Date: Mar 17, 2017; Published Date: Mar 25, 2017
Citation: Denton R, Muncer S, Howey L (2017) How do we get our Daughter back? Parents’ Perspectives on Recovery from Anorexia Nervosa. J Child Adolesc Behav 5: 337. doi:10.4172/2375-4494.1000337
Copyright: © 207 Denton R, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Background: Anorexia Nervosa is a severe mental illness most commonly occurring during adolescence. As a parent, caring for a child with Anorexia Nervosa can quickly consume all aspects of family life, leading to frustration, feelings of burden and increased levels of anxiety and depression. Despite the impact of the illness on parents, there is a surprising lack of literature drawing on parents perspectives of recovery, particularly during adolescence. Objective: To gather the lived experience of parents caring for an adolescent daughter throughout recovery from Anorexia Nervosa. Method: Eight participants, seven mothers and one father, were recruited from two specialist outpatient eating disorder services. All parents had an adolescent daughter between the ages of fourteen and eighteen in recovery from Anorexia Nervosa. The study used a qualitative design and the research lead completed semi structured interviews with each of the eight parents. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Analysis of the data revealed one overarching super-ordinate theme, ‘a journey to recovery’ encompassing a further four super-ordinate themes. The four super-ordinate themes included “a secret exposed,” “anorexia is tearing our family apart,” “how do we get our daughter back?” and “accessing help.” The results of the analysis are discussed in line with relevant theory and ideas for clinical practice are highlighted. Conclusion: The current study highlighted the invasion of Anorexia Nervosa and its ability to tear the family apart. The study emphasises the adolescents need for emotional support throughout recovery but highlights the difficulties for parents due to the adolescents stage of development, their strive for independence and reluctance to accept their difficulties.
