Keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Diagnostic identity; Hospitalization; Mental health; Personal recovery; Qualitative research.
Anorexia nervosa is an illness that can affect a person socially, physically, and mentally. Because of the severity of the illness a person with anorexia nervosa may need inpatient psychiatric care, either in a specialized eating disorder unit or in a general psychiatric ward. Research has focused on specialized care, but persons with anorexia nervosa, especially those with other conditions such as autism, depression or self-harm are often treated in general psychiatric inpatient wards. We interviewed people with experience of such care. They said general psychiatric inpatient care could save lives, but it often failed to address underlying problems or provide hope. Many felt unseen, unheard and left to manage psychosocial aspects of the illness on their own.