title: Male experiences of life after recovery from an eating disorder.
abstract: The aim of this study was to describe how former male patients perceive life after recovery from an eating disorder. A qualitative method with a phenomenographic approach was used to identify ways of experiencing recovery. Two descriptive categories were developed: body acceptance and self-worth. Six conceptions describe how recovered patients now relate in a balanced way to exercise and food, using strategies to avoid relapse. With a sense of self-acceptance and autonomy, they now appreciate their social life. Some perceive recovery as coping with remaining impulses to diet or exercise. Others experience themselves as totally free from the eating disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Karolinska Institute, Örebro, Sweden. tabita.bjork@orebroll.se
authors.forename: Tabita
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Björk
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wallin
authors.forename: Gunn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pettersen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D013548:Sweden