40 patients suffering from anorexia nervosa and 30 patients of a control group suffering from different types of neurosis were retrospectively assessed for premorbid psychiatric symptomatology. A high frequency of premorbid psychiatric disorders was found in both groups, although phobic behavior and anxiety attacks were quite common in the anorectic group. The anxiety disorders often led to crisis and failure of the individual when coping with new life situations. The findings of the present study indicate that anorexia nervosa is not only a resolution of puberal and adolescent turmoil after a "model childhood". Nearly two thirds of the patients manifested symptoms of a minor psychiatric illness during early or later childhood.