• To increase your knowledge of the physical and psychological effects of anorexia nervosa
• To recognise the challenges of providing care to patients with anorexia nervosa in acute hospital settings
• To enhance your ability to deliver psychologically informed care to patients with anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a challenging and highly distressing illness associated with significant and often debilitating symptoms that affect the person’s physical and mental well-being, as well as their wider social networks. Although some patients can make important steps in their recovery in the community, many will become significantly unwell and require medical stabilisation and refeeding in an acute medical ward as a result of significant weight loss. This article describes some of the challenges experienced by adult nurses when caring for patients with anorexia nervosa on acute medical wards and explores how the patient’s distress may manifest and complicate the recovery process. The article also discusses the principles of psychologically informed care and therapeutic interactions that nurses can use to promote recovery and ensure optimal practice.
Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2023.e12199
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
Purvis F, Snowden J (2023) Psychologically informed care of patients with anorexia nervosa on an acute medical ward. doi: 10.7748/ns.2023.e12199
Published online: 28 December 2023
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