The distorted perception of one’s own body is a characteristic symptom of anorexia nervosa. It has long been known that patients overestimate the dimensions of their body. “This discrepancy relates to the conscious part of body perception, body image,” explains Martin Diers. Alongside this is the body schema, unconscious body awareness, which tells us, for instance, where we are in a room. It is usually flexible and adapts to current dimensions. This is why we do not normally bump into things when we are wearing a hat or a rucksack.