Eating disorders and recovery: Lessons from overeaters anonymous

The experience of compulsive eating and recovery, as perceived by women members of the self-help organization Overeaters Anonymous (OA), was qualitatively studied by examining the worldview transformation of the members. A worldview transformation was found in four domains: (a) experience of self; (b) Universal Order/God; (c) relationships with others; (d) perception of the problem. Understanding the personal experience of worldview transformation of OA members may be adapted to the clinical setting for eating disorders. Guidelines for such an adaptation are proposed.