5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  Indicators of anorexia nervosa severity did not differ by illness duration in a treatment-experienced community sample.

• 2

  Longer illness duration correlated with greater treatment burden and negative treatment experiences among patients.

• 3

  Patients valued treatment based on therapeutic context, emphasizing understanding, autonomy, and collaborative relationships.

• 4

  Coercive and shaming care approaches were reported as harmful and dehumanizing, impacting trust and agency.

• 5

  Identity disturbance and shame were key themes in illness maintenance, highlighting the need for supportive recovery processes.