Exploring recovery from anorexia in autistic adults: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: To examine the barriers and facilitators of anorexia nervosa (AN) recovery in adults with autism. DESIGN: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with autistic adults who identified as being in recovery or having recovered from AN. SETTING: Participants were recruited via advertisements on social media and an eating disorder (ED) forum. Online Zoom interviews with 12 participants were conducted from October to November 2023. PARTICIPANTS: Overall, 12 autistic adults who identified as being in recovery or recovered from AN were included (11 women and 1 man; aged between 18-50 years). RESULTS: Four key themes were identified: 'Sensory Experiences', 'Recovery in progress', 'Changing to healthy mindsets' and 'Engaging with treatment'. Results indicated that recovery for participants did not follow a linear path, with the role of autistic traits, such as sensory sensitivities, interoception and the internal voice, making recovery challenging. CONCLUSION: This study provides insight into the challenges and motivations experienced during the recovery process. Findings highlight the need for further research to improve guidelines and autism awareness in ED services.