Female type I diabetics with eating disorders: Purging by insulin withholding

This study provides descriptions of experiences and characteristics of female type I diabetics with eating disorders who purge by insulin withholding. The multiple case study design was used as adapted from Yin. Four female type I diabetics with eating disorders who purge by insulin withholding were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. From these interviews, common themes emerged which described the experiences and characteristics of the participants. These themes were supported by answers to questions in the ATT 39 questionnaire. Themes which emerged are: self-care deficits, anger, shame, secretiveness, guilt, hopelessness, uniqueness, depression, low self esteem, control issues, depression, and body image distortion. These themes provided contextual relevance to participants' lived experiences, interconnected dual diagnoses and the ambivalence of recovering from their eating disorder. Implications for nursing education, practice, and research are discussed.