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ABSTRACT
The current study aimed to explore the effect of recovery stories on challenging stigma towards those who experience anorexia nervosa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants before and after exposure to an anorexia nervosa recovery narrative. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were then analysed using thematic analysis, informed by an interpretative phenomenological framework. Exposure to a recovery narrative challenged participants, enabling them to recognise the subjective experience of those living with anorexia. Their views shifted, from minimising the effects of the condition, to understanding its severity and legitimacy as a mental illness. Participants also shifted from a reductionist view to one that embraced the complexity of the illness, its aetiology and the significant challenge of recovery. These findings highlight the benefit of using recovery narratives to change popular discourse and stigmatised views.