title: A retrospective look at the internal help-seeking process in young women with eating disorders.
abstract: This qualitative study retrospectively explored the help-seeking process in women with eating disorders. Interviews were conducted with 14 college-age women suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder NOS. Grounded theory was utilized to develop a preliminary model of the help-seeking process. Participants described a gradual shift from denial to increased awareness of self and the impact of the illness. This core process was transient in nature and influenced by interpersonal feedback, critical incidents, the women's general attitude toward help- seeking, and prior treatment experiences. Implications for clinicians include an increased focus on the transient awareness of self and the illness.
authors.affiliation: University Counseling Service, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. eva-schoen@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Eva G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Schoen
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Skow
authors.forename: Stefanie T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Allison S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Joanna E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wiese
authors.forename: Jessica Kelly
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Martens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012189:Retrospective Studies