Patients With Anorexia Nervosa Who Self-Injure: A Phenomenological Study

Suzanne Verschueren; Tamara Berends; Nienke Kool-Goudzwaard; Erwin van Huigenbosch; Claudia Gamel; Alexandra Dingemans; Annemarie van Elburg; Berno van Meijel

doi:10.1111/ppc.12061

Patients With Anorexia Nervosa Who Self-Injure: A Phenomenological Study

Suzanne Verschueren, Tamara Berends, Nienke Kool-Goudzwaard, Erwin van Huigenbosch, Claudia Gamel, Alexandra Dingemans, Annemarie van Elburg, Berno van Meijel

InHolland University of Applied Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study investigates self-injury from the perspective of patients with anorexia nervosa.

DESIGN AND METHODS: A phenomenological design was used. Twelve patients participated. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide.

FINDINGS: Participants display self-injurious behavior predominantly in situations when they are forced to eat. They are terrified of gaining weight and use self-injurious behavior to cope with their anxiety. Self-injury is envisioned as a technique to regain control of their own eating pattern without bothering anyone. They feel shame for not controlling their emotions more constructively.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should systematically observe signals and explore less harmful strategies that help to regulate overwhelming feelings.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	63-70
Number of pages	7
Journal	Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
Volume	51
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12061
Publication status	Published - 17 Jan 2014

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abstract = "PURPOSE: This study investigates self-injury from the perspective of patients with anorexia nervosa.DESIGN AND METHODS: A phenomenological design was used. Twelve patients participated. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide.FINDINGS: Participants display self-injurious behavior predominantly in situations when they are forced to eat. They are terrified of gaining weight and use self-injurious behavior to cope with their anxiety. Self-injury is envisioned as a technique to regain control of their own eating pattern without bothering anyone. They feel shame for not controlling their emotions more constructively.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should systematically observe signals and explore less harmful strategies that help to regulate overwhelming feelings.",

author = "Suzanne Verschueren and Tamara Berends and Nienke Kool-Goudzwaard and {van Huigenbosch}, Erwin and Claudia Gamel and Alexandra Dingemans and {van Elburg}, Annemarie and {van Meijel}, Berno",

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AU - Verschueren, Suzanne

AU - Berends, Tamara

AU - Kool-Goudzwaard, Nienke

AU - van Huigenbosch, Erwin

AU - Gamel, Claudia

AU - Dingemans, Alexandra

AU - van Elburg, Annemarie

AU - van Meijel, Berno

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N2 - PURPOSE: This study investigates self-injury from the perspective of patients with anorexia nervosa.DESIGN AND METHODS: A phenomenological design was used. Twelve patients participated. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide.FINDINGS: Participants display self-injurious behavior predominantly in situations when they are forced to eat. They are terrified of gaining weight and use self-injurious behavior to cope with their anxiety. Self-injury is envisioned as a technique to regain control of their own eating pattern without bothering anyone. They feel shame for not controlling their emotions more constructively.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should systematically observe signals and explore less harmful strategies that help to regulate overwhelming feelings.

AB - PURPOSE: This study investigates self-injury from the perspective of patients with anorexia nervosa.DESIGN AND METHODS: A phenomenological design was used. Twelve patients participated. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide.FINDINGS: Participants display self-injurious behavior predominantly in situations when they are forced to eat. They are terrified of gaining weight and use self-injurious behavior to cope with their anxiety. Self-injury is envisioned as a technique to regain control of their own eating pattern without bothering anyone. They feel shame for not controlling their emotions more constructively.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should systematically observe signals and explore less harmful strategies that help to regulate overwhelming feelings.

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JF - Perspectives in Psychiatric Care

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Patients With Anorexia Nervosa Who Self-Injure: A Phenomenological Study

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