From first symptoms to hospitalization for nervous anorexia: which resources do parents seek and how do they perceive them?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25758/set.716Keywords:
Nervous anorexia, Parental perception, Resources, Multidisciplinary team, Period of untreated diseaseAbstract
Aim of the study – To identify different resources used by parents of children suffering from nervous anorexia, after acknowledging the first symptoms; to characterise periods of time between first symptoms acknowledgment in their children, help request, access to support, and hospitalisation; to identify resources missed by parents. Methods – Anonymous semi-structured online survey to parents of children suffering from nervous anorexia hospitalised in a Unit for Child Psychiatry at an urban hospital in the central area of Portugal, from January 2018 to December 2019. Statistical analysis of results done through an Excel spreadsheet. Results – Health professionals were identified as the most frequently used resource for information or emotional support. Among these professionals, family doctors and paediatricians were considered the most accessible resources. Only 18.2% of parents stated that their children had prolonged medical support (over six months) before being hospitalised. As to resources indicated by parents as missing, 84.8% pointed to psychological or psychiatric support for themselves. Discussion – This study has highlighted the existence of a long period of time between the acknowledgment of the first symptoms of the disease and the decision-making of requiring a technical assessment. Conclusion – There are still some serious flaws in the early diagnosis of children and adolescents suffering from nervous anorexia. Therefore, it seems crucial to maximise early diagnosis and referral by health professionals, notably family doctors, whom these families contact first-hand.
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