[Structure of anorexia nervosa]

The author presents her findings in social, psychodynamic and biological fields of 35 patients suffering from anorexia nervosa and 30 patients suffering from post pill amenorrhoea. Both groups show a decreased response to LH-releasing hormones, a prolonged time of acrale reheating and pathological responses to the administration of insulin and adrenalin. The disturbances are more severe in the group of anorectic patients and are discussed as signs of a dysfunction of the cerebro-hypothalamic-pituitory axis. The psychodynamics of the patients and the educational style of the parents (EBF 70, Böttcher) show similarities between both groups.