Recovery from anorexia nervosa: a sociological perspective.
OBJECTIVE
The focus of this article is on the process of recovery from anorexia nervosa, rather than on its etiology. It seeks for sociological, instead of clinical, reasons for recovery.


METHODS
The article begins with a discussion of clinical outcome studies. It then reports on a phenomenological study of 32 former sufferers contacted through a newspaper article which included the author's own recovery story. Participants' narratives were analyzed to elucidate the social sources of recovery.


RESULTS
The analysis refers to the coherence and mythological structure of the narratives and to their rituals of recovery and its "spiritual" nature, as understood by participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Anorexia and recovery are conceptualized as two phases in an ascetic rite of passage which involves a confrontation with death and an eventual return to fuller community life. Suggestions are offered concerning the ways this insight can be translated into clinical practice.
Garrett
C J
CJ
Department of Behavioural and Social Science, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Western Sydney, Nepean, Australia.
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009229:Mythology; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012961:Sociology; D013140:Spiritualism