Anorexia Nervosa in a Black Zimbabwean

Abstract

SummaryIn spite of the comparative rarity of anorexia nervosa in African patients, the case of a young black Zimbabwean woman which fulfils Feighner's diagnostic criteria is presented. Special reference is made to several unusual features which include the social and psychological conflicts engendered by changes of culture, the clinical symptoms, and the role of a traditional healer in her recovery. A speculative hypothesis concerning aetiology is suggested.