On the diaagnosis of anorexia nervosa in children and adolescents (author's transl)]

The clinical picture of anorexia nervosa is going along with typical statements, specific pathological attitudes and psychodynamic backgrounds of the families involved. This facilities the establishment of the diagnosis already during the first anamnestic interview with parents and patients. Important are: onset of illness, eating behaviour, early childhood development, parents, brothers and sisters, leisure time, mood and personality, sexuality. In most of the cases a speedy hospital admission is necessary, because at this time the onset of the disease lies back months or even years. These circumstances redner the psychotherapy of patients and their families more difficult, and the often life-threatening attitudes of the patients more entrenched.