Anorexia Nervosa: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) is an important component in the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (anorexia).

Family history

  • Are there any mental illnesses (e.g., eating disorder, depression) in your family that are common?

Social history

  • What is your profession?
  • Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation?
  • How can you characterize the personality of the person(s) involved? (Question to family members)

Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).

  • How can your eating behavior be described?
    • Do you sometimes deliberately skip meals?
    • Do you eat in secret?
    • Do you ever throw up when you feel uncomfortably full?
  • How satisfied are you with your eating habits?
  • Do you suffer from binge eating episodes? If so, how often do these occur?
  • Does your weight affect your self-esteem?
  • Do you worry about your figure?
  • Have you noticed water retention in the tissues?
  • Have you noticed any dental damage?
  • Do you suffer from heart palpitations?
  • Do you notice libido disturbances, sleep disturbances?
  • How do you perceive your own body?
    • Are you satisfied with the way you look?
  • Do you suffer from psychological changes such as autoaggressive behavior, depressiveness or social isolation?
  • Have you recently thought about suicide?*

Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis.

  • Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
  • How has your weight developed in the last time?
  • How often do you weigh yourself?
  • Have you noticed any changes in bowel movements and/or urination?
  • Do you exercise regularly? How often and with what intensity per day?
  • Do you have regular menstrual periods?

Self history including medication history.

  • Pre-existing conditions (mental disorders)
  • Operations
  • Allergies
  • Medication history (drug dependence?)

Medications that may be the cause of a loss of appetite.

* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Data without guarantee)