Abstract Background Eating disorders (EDs) are serious illnesses which profoundly impact individuals and the people close to them. Despite robust evidence that early intervention improves clinical outcomes, help-seeking by individuals with EDs is low and long periods of untreated illness are common. Social support networks can facilitate help-seeking, although most research has focused on the experiences of parents supporting adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) to seek help and engage in treatment. The present study sought to explore the perspectives of a broadly defined group of ‘close others’ on help-seeking for all EDs. Methods Twelve qualitative interviews were conducted with ‘close others’ - partners, siblings, extended family members and parents – who had experience of individuals with a broad range of EDs including AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Themes were categorised into barriers and facilitators of help-seeking, alongside the impact on close others. Barriers identified by close others could be categorised into three main groups: close other factors (e.g., limited knowledge/ confidence in identifying the problem), patient factors (e.g., ambivalence), and systemic factors (e.g., restrictive service criteria and long wait times). Close others facilitated help-seeking by educating themselves about EDs, learning to navigate healthcare systems and actively working to reduce their loved one’s ambivalence about help-seeking. Close others reported several negative impacts on their well-being, including guilt, stress and frustration, social isolation and challenges juggling competing responsibilities. Conclusions The findings of this study demonstrate that broadly defined social networks can play an active role in supporting individuals to seek help for EDs. These findings should be interpreted with caution given that the sample was predominantly White and largely comprised individuals with experience of AN. Interventions aimed at improving help-seeking for ED should draw on social support networks as one way of improving access to treatment. Inclusive service models, which involve close others in care, should offer both psychological and practical support to help reduce carer burden and distress.
Wilkins et al. (Thu,) studied this question.