This is a clear review of the history of anorexia nervosa and current views about diagnosis and treatment. Bruch focuses on "primary anorexia nervosa," in which one consistently finds: 1) severe disturbance in body image; 2) confused perception and interpretation of stimuli (e.g., hunger) arising from within the body; and 3) a profound sense of ineffectiveness. Therapy must include both a restitution of normal nutrition and, in the author's opinion, psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy geared toward helping the patient recognize and better deal with impulses, feelings, and inner needs.