The trouble with food
If you are over sixteen-years-old and have been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in the past ten years but not currently
in treatment, then Gabrielle Batenburg wants to hear from you.
Gabrielle is completing her masters research at the University of Waikato for the School of Psychology and is looking to
delve deeper into the views of people who have struggled with anorexia and what they think may have contributed to it.
“Anorexia is one of those issues that is often not seen and stays hidden for a long time before it starts to become
obvious and impact someone’s mood or functioning,” says Gabrielle.
“There have been some people in my family with significant eating difficulties, one with recurring anorexia and
associated suicide attempts. Seeing someone suffer and trying to help them but not knowing how can be extremely
frustrating and sad.”
“Treatment and accessing help can be a difficult experience. Similarly, so can coming to terms with something that you
are struggling with and going through.”
Through this study, Gabrielle hopes to hear of the experiences of people who have developed anorexia nervosa to get a
better understanding of how they think about their illness and why it started. Ultimately, she aims to increase the
awareness and understanding of anorexia.
“This study is important as the perspective of the sufferer is often absent from research. Models of anorexia have often
been developed from a particular perspective, such as a biological view, linking it to genetic and chemical changes in
the body.”
Concepts about the causes of an issue can also have a strong influence in the approach and direction It is possible that
this study can illuminate major differences between the approach to treatment that providers use and treatment that
would be expected from the person’s perspective, she says.
“It seems reasonable that the more the treatment ‘makes sense’ to the person receiving treatment, If you are interested
in taking part in Gabrielle’s research, she can be contacted at ANstudy@live.com for more information.
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