Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42223006›Full record

ArticleEuropean eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association2026

Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders: A Qualitative Study of Patients' Experiences and Perceived Treatment Needs.

Emilia Kotilahti, Anu Ruusunen, Katarina Lindstedt, Rasmus Isomaa

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders: A Qualitative Study of Patients' Experiences and Perceived Treatment Needs.European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Emilia KotilahtiInstitute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1062-1156
Anu RuusunenInstitute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1169-7478
Katarina LindstedtUniversity Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1068-6929
Rasmus IsomaaFredrika Clinic, The Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia, Jakobstad, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2611-6007

Funding

Finnish Cultural Foundation 65221659Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation 5671
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveApproximately 25% of individuals with eating disorders develop severe and enduring eating disorders (SEEDs); yet effective treatments remain limited. This study explored lived experiences of SEEDs, focussing on past treatments, as well as current needs and hopes.

methodTwenty participants with eating disorders of ≥ 7 years and prior treatment engagement were interviewed about treatment experiences and needs. Transcribed interviews were analysed using phenomenologically informed thematic analysis.

resultsFour main themes emerged: (1) treating the weight, the illness or the person; (2) the attitude of the professionals; (3) the need for specialised treatment; and (4) losing control. The first theme comprised sub-themes: (a) too much focus on weight, (b) one size doesn't fit all, and (c) finding and connecting with the person. Participants found individual tailored treatments, multidisciplinary teams, and specialised ED treatments beneficial. Many felt that their unique situation and needs were overshadowed by a predominant emphasis on weight or inflexible treatment protocols.

conclusionsThe findings support evidence suggesting that treatment should shift from a primary focus in body weight towards more individualised approaches that promote sustainable care and strengthen therapeutic alliances. Future research should examine ways for balancing necessary restrictions with flexibility in inpatient and involuntary care.

Indexed as

Feeding and Eating DisordersHealth Services Needs and DemandAdolescentAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchYoung Adulteating disorderlived experiencespatient perspectivesevere and enduringthematic analysistreatment

Identifiers

PMID42223006
PMCPMC13656760

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.