Anorexia nervosa treatment expectations, outcome and satisfaction

Sammanfattning: Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental disorder with high mortality. It has the lowest prevalence compared with other eating-disorder diagnoses and the onset is related to adolescence, with a majority of female patients. The focus of this thesis is anorexia nervosa and the aim is to study adolescent and adult patients' comprehension and the course of treatment in order to make a contribution to the clinical work relating to these patients. The areas that were studied are expectations of treatment, outcome, predictors of outcome and satisfaction with treatment. Four research papers are included; three originate from work at a specialist eating-disorder unit at Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden and one from a multicentre study comprising 15 specialised eating-disorder units in Sweden.Paper I has a qualitative design, where participants, 18-25 years of age, were interviewed about their expectations while on the waiting list at a specialist eating-disorder unit. Three main categories of expectations emerged: "Treatment content," "Treatment professionals" and "Treatment focus." The participants expected to receive the appropriate therapy in a collaborative therapeutic relationship and to recover. Paper II evaluated the outcome of a family-based treatment for adolescent patients, 13-18 years old, and their parents. The results indicate that the treatment that is offered appears to be effective, as 78% of the patients were in full remission with less distance and a less chaotic family climate at the 36-month follow-up. Paper III examined the importance of motivation to change eating behaviour, treatment expectationsand experiences, ED symptomatology, self-image and treatment alliance for predicting weight increase in adult patients, 18-46 years of age. Patients' motivation to change eating habits, social relations, self-image, body image and duration of illness were found to predict weight increase both in both the short term (six months) and the long term (36 months). PaperIV studied adolescent patients' and their parents' satisfaction with a family-based treatment a tan 18-month follow-up. The majority of patients (73%) and parents (83%) stated that their expectations had been fulfilled and individual sessions for patients and parents respectively were of great help. Family-based treatment with a combination of individual and family sessions corresponds well to patients' and parents' treatment expectations.Young adult patients' expectations before treatment are multifaceted and should be taken into account in the therapeutic relationship. From the start of treatment, issues relating to patients' motivation, self-image, body image and social relationships should be continuously addressed in order to establish positive collaboration and a weight increase. Anorexia nervosa treatment for adolescents and their parents should be family-based and include family sessions as well as individual sessions for patients and parents. In addition, prevention programmes with the emphasis on early detection should be a prioritised area.