Umeå universitets logga

Aim To describe experiences of recovery from bulimia nervosa among young adult women.

Background Most studies into recovery from eating disorders focus on anorexia nervosa, although some include both anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Recovery has been described as beginning with renewed self-esteem. DesignQualitative interview study.

Methods Fourteen women were invited to participate; five women, between 23-26years of age, who assessed themselves as healthy for at least 2years agreed to take part in narrative interviews. Tape-recorded interviews lasting 45-60 minutes (median 49minutes) were conducted from February-April 2010 and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings The interviews revealed four themes in recovery from bulimia nervosa: feeling stuck in bulimia nervosa, getting ready to change, breaking free of bulimia nervosa and grasping a new reality, each comprising two or more subthemes. The process of recovery was not linear, but rather went back and forth between progress and relapse. The women expressed strong ambivalence about leaving the illness behind. An important part of their recovery was their ability to accept themselves. It was essential for their recovery to be supported in developing a unique explanation of the cause of their illness.

Conclusion Women's ability to recover from bulimia nervosa and take control over their lives is based on their self-efficacy. Effective care should therefore strive to strengthen women's beliefs in their own abilities, to instil hope for recovery and thus to bolster their self-efficacy.