Aims: Given the paucity of research into young people's views about treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN), the high rates of relapse following inpatient care, and debates about its effectiveness for this client group; this study intended to explore young peoples' experiences of inpatient psychiatric treatment for a diagnosis of (AN). It aimed to explore young people's views about what was helpful and unhelpful about their treatment in general adolescent unit settings, and about experiences of discharge and re-adjustment to the outside world. It also aimed to explore whether there may be any aspects of inpatient care which may compound intrinsic features of AN - such as issues of control and low self-esteem. Design and Method: This is a retrospective, qualitative study using data collected through semi-structured interviews. Seven young adults (between 16 and 23 years) were interviewed about their past experiences of adolescent inpatient treatment for AN. Interview transcripts were then analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results & Conclusions: Four super-ordinate themes emerged from participants' accounts of their treatment and discharge experiences: 'Removal from normality versus connecting with the outside world'; 'Treated as another anorexic versus a unique individual in distress'; 'Control and collaboration'; and 'The importance of peer relationships'. Participants provided views that were balanced and useful, many of which were in-line with the extant literature. Findings more unique to this study concerned the salience of a sense of being removed from 'normality'; a view that ones' developmental needs were not always addressed; and the value place on positive relationships with fellow inpatients. Findings also suggested that more authoritative approaches to inpatient care may indeed serve to compound features of AN - particularly a sense of ineffectiveness and isolation. Suggestions for clinical practice and further research are outlined.