Parents' experiences of having and caring for a child with an eating disorder.

Eating disorders (ED) are serious conditions that affect both patients and their families. Little is known about the influence of these disorders on family life in a Swedish population and the ways that affected families actually attempt to cope. The aim of this study was to specifically investigate parental experiences of having and caring for a child with ED. A qualitative approach was used and rich narratives were obtained from interviews with 10 parents. Results promote insights into lived experiences concerning social disruption, emotional impact, and coping strategies related to ED. This knowledge can be utilized to further develop programs to help affected families.