The Experience of Caring For or Living with an Individual with an Eating Disorder: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies.

Eating disorders (ED) has the highest mortality rate of psychiatric disorders and a high incidence of comorbidity. Because of the average age of onset, care typically befalls family members. However, despite the severity of the disorder and the burden placed on the family, research into the caregiving experience is still developing. Studies have shown caregivers of individuals with ED to experience high levels of distress, burden and expressed emotion. Recent theoretical models have underscored the importance of caregivers' responses as a maintenance factor for the ED, and family therapy has proved efficacious. However, the literature pertaining to the experience of family members living with or caring for an individual with an ED has not been systematically reviewed. This review aimed to synthesize qualitative studies relating to the caring experience and its impact, thereby gaining an understanding from the perspective of the individuals themselves. Relevant search terms were utilized to systematically search key databases. Twenty studies, with a total sample of 239 participants, met the inclusion criteria. Nine core themes emerged from the synthesis, forming the basis of an explanatory theory. The ED was found to have a pervasive impact upon family members, mediated by a number of factors. Cognitive appraisals affected the caregiving experience and responses to the individual. The experience of caregiving was continually reappraised leading to a process of adaptation. The majority of studies identified unmet carer needs. The implications of the findings are discussed with reference to existing theoretical models and in terms of clinical practice. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGES: Carers experience a significant amount of guilt and distress once they have found out about their loved one's eating disorder. Across the studies, there were many themes of unmet need for carers. Siblings have often been overlooked by both clinicians and researchers. Interventions for people with eating disorders should also acknowledge carers and close family members.

Investigating young people's experiences of successful or helpful psychological interventions for tic disorders: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study.

There is emerging evidence for talking therapies in the treatment of tic disorders. This study explored experiences of young people who self-identified as having had a successful or helpful talking therapy, in order to understand the phenomenology, value and meaning of outcomes. The experiences of seven participants aged 10-17 years were described in semi-structured interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Themes included the challenging battle with tics and process of re-defining self-identity, making sense of and managing experiences, the value of control, and spectrum of positive change. The results highlighted valued outcomes that could be incorporated into clinical practice and future evaluation.

Patient experiences of awake craniotomy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Awake craniotomy with language mapping enables maximum resection of tumours in eloquent areas while preserving function. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of those undergoing an awake craniotomy. Six participants who underwent awake craniotomy were interviewed, and the data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Themes were identified as 'Unspeakable Fear', 'Dissociation' and 'Control and Responsibility'. Participants discussed how surgery was a threat to the sense of self. Dissociation during surgery operated as a protective mechanism, while the surgical team all had roles in maintaining this bubble of dissociation, such as being a support to the patient's emotional needs.