title: Patients with anorexia nervosa who self-injure: a phenomenological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates self-injury from the perspective of patients with anorexia nervosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  A phenomenological design was used. Twelve patients participated. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants display self-injurious behavior predominantly in situations when they are forced to eat. They are terrified of gaining weight and use self-injurious behavior to cope with their anxiety. Self-injury is envisioned as a technique to regain control of their own eating pattern without bothering anyone. They feel shame for not controlling their emotions more constructively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare professionals should systematically observe signals and explore less harmful strategies that help to regulate overwhelming feelings.
authors.affiliation: Research Group Mental Health Nursing/Cluster Nursing, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam School of Health Professions, Amsterdam University of Applied Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verschueren
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Berends
authors.forename: Nienke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kool-Goudzwaard
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Huigenbosch
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gamel
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dingemans
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Elburg
authors.forename: Berno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Meijel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anorexia nervosa; eating disorders; interview; phenomenological research; self-injurious behavior