Parents’ Experiences of Having and Caring for a Child with an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and “eating disorder not otherwise specified” (EDNOS), are all potentially serious conditions and also commonly comorbid with other psychiatric disorders such as depression. AN is additionally associated with an increased mortality risk, and in up to 10-20 percent of sufferers the condition is refractory to treatment and becomes chronic (Berkman, Lohr, & Bulik, 2007; Fairburn & Harrison, 2003; Steinhausen, 2002).