The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine methods of treatment and recovery that were beneficial for people with anorexia nervosa (anorexia). Notably, many of those who suffer from anorexia are in denial that an eating disorder exists. Anorexia has been documented to have the highest mortality rate of any other psychiatric disorder. This study was conducted with individuals who were in recovery from anorexia. The data included the effects of the eating disorder and what events led to the patient's understanding that there was a need for therapy.

Two underlying factors that were prevalent for each patient in the study were a lack of self-esteem and a need to fit in with peer groups. The impetus that began recovery for the patients was that each realized a purpose in life or life goal. Patients and care providers in the study agreed that ultimately patients with anorexia who manage a recovery from their illness must come to a personal belief that their behavior of self-starvation had to change. In order to sustain recovery, there was a need for patients to have self-efficacy or a belief that they were able to achieve their goals. It was essential that the goals they set were attainable. Those with self-efficacy had to face failure and use the coping skills that resilient individuals practice.