The first clinical descriptions of anorexia nervosa, by Gull and Lasègue, already paid special attention to the striking motorial restlessness and physical hyperactivity which is astonishing in respect of the sometimes dramatic emaciation of these patients. This aspect of the clinical picture has been since treated in a stepmotherly fashion in the literature. Therefore this article attempts to fill a gap by gathering, from a great number of publications, the different data, and reflections about this special behavior. Starting from the most important historical studies, the occurrence of hyperactivity in anorexia nervosa is specified in its different forms, frequencies and subgroups. The few specific investigations in this area are presented. From these data the author evaluates the diagnostic significance of hyperactivity: is it a primary or secondary symptom, and which role does it play in the differential diagnosis of anorexia nervosa?
Finally the possible prognostic value of this symptom is discussed.